Michigan State will once again be without Denzel Valentine when they open their Big Ten schedule against the Iowa Hawkeyes Tuesday. The Spartans have not had many difficulties when facing the Hawkeyes as Michigan State is 9-0 SU and 7-2 ATS in the last nine games between the two teams.
Senior Byrn Forbes stepped up in the first game without Valentine in the lineup as Forbes scored 32 points while knocking down seven threes in Michigan State’s overtime win over Oakland Tuesday. It was the Spartans defense that was struggling without Valentine as they allowed 93 points in the win against Oakland, 20 more points than any other opponent scored this season.
If Iowa wants to upset the No.1 ranked Michigan State they will need senior Jarrod Uthoff to pick up his play. The senior and leading scorer for the Hawkeyes has averaged a season-low 11.5 points and went just one-for-seven from beyond the arc in his past two games.
Michigan State Spartans vs Iowa Hawkeyes Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Michigan State Spartans will look to cover the spread vs the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday, as the Spartans are 8-4 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Hawkeyes are 6-5 ATS. Michigan State is 4-8 against the total, while Iowa is 5-5-1 versus the total betting line.
The Hawkeyes - Spartans odds would favor the Spartans if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Iowa is rated No. 26 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Michigan State is at No. 3.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Iowa's No. 34 nationally ranked offense (82.58 points per game) against a Michigan State Spartans defense that sits as the No. 12 at 59.69 PPG. The Iowa Hawkeyes have been averaging 47.16% from the field, less than the Spartans have managed so far this season (49.21% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Bryn Forbes poured in a team-high 32 points for Michigan State on Tuesday, as they defeated Oakland 99-93 at Palace of Auburn Hills.
The Hawkeyes blew out Tennessee Tech on Tuesday, running up a 20+ point victory in a 85-63 win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Next Betting Matchups
Michigan State at Minnesota, Saturday, January 2nd
Iowa at Purdue, Saturday, January 2nd