Michigan State Basketball vs. Iowa Official Game Thread: Spartans Lose to Hawkeyes, 88-58
EAST LANSING – Michigan State will host Iowa as part of a three-game homestead on Saturday, Feb. 13, inside the Breslin Center.
The Spartans will do so in a must-win situation, despite Iowa's recent struggles; they are still a top team in the country, meaning it would be a massive win for MSU.
Michigan State is far from perfect, but given how they played the Hawkeyes on Feb. 2 plus the two-game winning streak, and this is looking like a winnable game for the Spartans.
It doesn't hurt that it's at the Breslin, either.
Iowa's zone defense didn't bother MSU the first time around; in fact, it's a good matchup for Michigan State, and the Hawkeyes less than stellar defense means the Spartans will have open shots, but they'll have to make them.
And that's not a given with this MSU squad.
Defensively, Michigan State faces Iowa's star center Luka Garza; because of Marcus Bingham's length/size, he's their best bet against him.
Ultimately, the Spartans must stay out of foul trouble.
Please make sure to continue refreshing your page for the latest scores, highlights, and information from the Breslin Center!
It's Game Day!
Best kind of Saturday = GAMEDAY 🏀 pic.twitter.com/WfwjSo7YOM
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) February 13, 2021
Update: In his pregame radio show, Tom Izzo says he's sticking with the same starting lineup: Loyer, Langford, Henry, Hall, and Bingham.
Afternoon action coming right up on @FOXSports 🏀 pic.twitter.com/p0quDYPP5G
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) February 13, 2021
Media Timeout: Iowa 12 MSU 9
15:44 left in the first half.
Spartans are down three points early as Iowa starts off hot; hitting three of its first four 3-pointers.
Media Timeout: Iowa 26 MSU 13
11:49 left in the first half.
Michigan State is attempting to take Luke Garza away by double and triple teaming him, but the Hawkeyes are a combined 7-for-10 from deep. It's a 6-0 run for Iowa over the last 1:31.
Media Timeout: Iowa 35 MSU 18
6:22 left in the first half.
MSU missed seven straight shots and 11 of 13 to fall behind 33-13 with eight minutes left before hitting a couple of baskets. The Spartans are 1-for-8 from 3-point land and 8-of-23 overall.
What a play, and what great hustle.
— Michigan State on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) February 13, 2021
Well done, Gabe. 👏@_Going_Pro_ // @MSU_Basketball pic.twitter.com/aij1ER3RgT
Media Timeout: Iowa 44 MSU 25
2:07 left in the first half.
Michigan State continues to struggle offensively, and Aaron Henry, one of their best players, sat on the bench for nearly eight minutes. He's 2-for-3 since checking back in with 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Halftime: Iowa 46 MSU 27
Halftime Stats
Media Timeout: Iowa 54 MSU 31
15:55 left in the second half.
Iowa has now hit 10-of-15 three-pointers and continues to pile on here at the Breslin Center. MSU will need a big effort offensively to get back in this one.
😱
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 13, 2021
How about the hang time on Joshua Langford's And-1?
@kingdomthinker7 // @MSU_Basketball pic.twitter.com/nXRx9eaq0d
Media Timeout: Iowa 63 MSU 41
11:12 left in the second half.
Media Timeout: Iowa 69 MSU 43
7:48 left in the second half.
With under eight minutes remaining in regulation it's difficult to see a path to victory for Michigan State, who still trails by 26 points.
Media Timeout: Iowa 83 MSU 53
2:36 left in the second half.
The Spartans are on pace to suffer their worst home loss in Tom Izzo's tenure as head coach, and its worst Big Ten loss since 1996.
Final: Iowa 88 MSU 58
