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Iowa Basketball: Get To Know Michigan State Spartans

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:58 a.m. ET

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Fansided, Jeremy Karll/FanSided via Dear Old Gold

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa basketball and Michigan State tipoff on Big Ten Network at 5 p.m. this Saturday.

Both teams enter the game coming off a loss. Iowa basketball lost a hard-fought double-overtime game to Minnesota on Wednesday night, while Michigan slaughtered the Michigan State Spartans 86-57 in Ann Arbor, MI, as “little brother” chants poured in from the stands to end the game.

Despite the losses, including one that seemingly ended Iowa’s hopes of making the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid, this game has huge implications on the NCAA Tournament and Big Ten picture. Michigan State is just 0.5 games ahead of Iowa in the Big Ten and overall.

Michigan State is still projected in the NCAA Tournament field, but a loss to Iowa, which would be their fifth in seven games, could knock them out. The Spartans can’t afford to lose anymore games to the middle of the Big Ten this year.

That said, Michigan State has yet to find their identity. They rank just 233rd in points per game and 89th in point allowed per game. Plus, despite being the most efficient scoring team in the Big Ten, shooting 48.3 percent from the field in conference play, Michigan State is just 11th in points per game.

Iowa is known for their fast-paced offense that ranks 32nd in the nation and second in the Big Ten in scoring. If this game becomes a shootout, the Spartans might not be able to hang around.

Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Izzo

Michigan State basketball and Tom Izzo are synonymous. Now in his 22nd season as Michigan State’s head coach, the Hall of Fame coach is on the verge of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since his first two seasons in 1995-96 and 1996-97.

Also, Michigan State’s five year streak of winning at least 20 games might end. In fact, this is just the second time in the past ten seasons that Michigan State won’t win at least 25 games, despite the Spartans starting the season ranked 12th in the nation.

Still, Izzo is one of the best coaches of all-time because he finds ways to get into the NCAA Tournament and win. Michigan State has been to seven Final Fours and two national championships, winning it all in 1999-2000, under Izzo. Michigan State also went to three straight Final Fours between 1998-2001.

More impressive is that Michigan State finished ranked outside the top 10 in the AP Poll during three Final Four seasons, which shows his ability to when it matters most. In 2014-15, Michigan State only reached 18th in the AP Poll but still made it to the Final Four.

As previously mentioned, this season could mark the worst two-year stretch under Tom Izzo since he came to East Lansing. Along with Michigan State limping through the regular season, it could also be the first time Michigan State doesn’t win an NCAA Tournament game in back-to-back years. 15 seed Middle Tennessee State upset Michigan State 90-81 in the first round last season.

Michigan State’s struggles carried over from last season, but Izzo always has his team ready to play when it matters.

Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Players To Watch

Miles Bridges: 16.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 50.0 FG%, 40.5 3P%

Miles Bridges is built like a tank and is arguably the best freshman in the Big Ten this year. He leads Michigan State in scoring, rebounding and is second in blocks per game. Despite missing the start of Big Ten play and seven games overall, Bridges has been playing exceptional basketball lately and could be a matchup nightmare for Iowa.

After nearly giving up a 20-20 game to Jordan Murphy on Wednesday, Iowa needs to keep an athletic and good rebounder in Bridges off the glass. He has five double-digit rebound games this season, including two in Big Ten play. Although, Iowa stopping his versatile scoring attack will be their biggest challenge.

Bridges is athletic enough to get to the rim and finish with a big dunk, but also is a solid outside shooter. He is shooting 40.5 percent from three this season, but it has gone up to 42.5 percent in conference play.

Iowa needs to play tough off-ball defense to keep the ball out of his hands and prevent him from completing an alley-oop, but they also need to be aware when he does have it so they can help on drives. Bridges is just a 63 percent free-throw shooter, therefore making him earn his points from the line is better than allowing a big dunk that gives the Spartans momentum.

Cassius Winston: 6.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, 45.3 FG%, 35.6 3P%

Cassius Winston is one of the best freshman guards in the conference. He hasn’t put up gaudy numbers all season, but Winston has played better in Big Ten play, especially as of late. Over the past three games, Winston is averaging 9.7 points, five assists and 0.7 steals per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three.

Winston doesn’t demand a lot of shots, but he’s an extremely good passer. He is third in the conference in assists per game and recorded at least five assists in 12 games. That said, he has failed to record five assists in a single game since January 11 and can be turnover prone at times.

Despite easily leading the conference with 10.3 assists per 40 minutes, Winston also has an extremely low 2.12 assist/turnover ratio. He averages 2.5 turnovers per game and is coming off a six turnover game against Michigan State.

Winston could run into problems against Iowa’s full court press. In fact, the Hawkeyes have the most steals in Big Ten play this year and rank 51st in the nation. Iowa doesn’t need to worry about Winston scoring 20-plus points, but the offense runs through him setting up his teammates.

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