Michigan State Launches Big Ten Play Against Iowa Tuesday at Breslin Center
Michigan State’s men’s basketball team is set to kick off its Big Ten Conference season against Iowa on Tuesday, December 2, at 7 p.m. The game will take place at the Breslin Center and will be broadcast live on Peacock.
Recent Performance of the Spartans
The Spartans are coming off a successful run in the Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division, achieving two victories. On November 25, they defeated East Carolina with a score of 89-56, followed by a significant 74-58 win against then-No. 18 North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day. This victory marked MSU’s third win against a ranked opponent this season, alongside earlier wins against No. 14 Arkansas and No. 12 Kentucky. The Spartans are currently one of only two teams in the nation, alongside Arizona, with three ranked wins. Notably, this is the first time since the 2015-16 season that Michigan State has gone undefeated in November.
Key Players to Watch
Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. has emerged as a standout player for the Spartans, averaging 12.0 points and leading the nation with 9.9 assists per game. He recorded a career-high 19 points against North Carolina, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Senior forward Jaxon Kohler leads the Spartans in scoring at 14.6 points per game and is also the team’s top rebounder with 9.7 rebounds per game. He has recorded three double-doubles this season and had a standout performance against San Jose State, grabbing 18 rebounds.
More Players to Note
- Carson Cooper (Senior Center) – 10.6 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game.
- Coen Carr (Junior Forward) – 10.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
- Cam Ward (Freshman Forward) – 9.0 points, 5.1 rebounds per game.
- Kur Teng (Sophomore Guard) – Career-high 15 points against Kentucky.
History of the Matchup
Michigan State and Iowa are set to meet for the 139th time, with MSU leading the all-time series 78-60. The Spartans achieved victory in last year’s matchup, winning 91-84 in Iowa City and clinching the outright Big Ten title in 2025. Interestingly, MSU holds a strong home record against Iowa, with 47 wins and just 20 losses at home, including 22 wins out of 27 games at the Breslin Center.
Iowa’s Current Form
The Iowa Hawkeyes enter the game with an unbeaten 7-0 start to their season. They recently secured wins over Ole Miss and Grand Canyon. First-year head coach Ben McCollum has brought six players from Drake, contributing to the team’s success. Leading the Hawkeyes is junior guard Bennett Stirtz, who averages 18.6 points and 5.4 assists per game.
Coaching Records and Trends
Under head coach Tom Izzo, Michigan State has a record of 18 wins and 12 losses in Big Ten openers. Last season, the Spartans began their conference play with an impressive 90-72 victory at Minnesota. However, they have faced challenges at home in recent conference openers, losing their last two games at the Breslin Center.
As the Spartans prepare for this crucial matchup against Iowa, fans are eager to see if they can continue their momentum and build on their early-season success.
