The Michigan State Spartans (24-5) travel to face off against the Iowa Hawkeyes (15-14) on Thursday, March 6th. This game will be played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City and televised on FS1. Michigan State is coming off a win in their previous game, while Iowa is looking to get back on track from a loss to the Northwestern. Tip-off is set for 8:00 ET.

Michigan State Spartans vs Iowa Hawkeyes

The Spartans Are Coming Off A Win

Michigan State improved to 24-5 on the season with a 71-62 win over Wisconsin on Sunday. The Spartans, who were favored by 4.5 points, covered the spread in the victory. The total points for the game came in at 133, falling under the O/U line of 146.5.

After trailing 34-32 at halftime, Michigan State turned things around in the second half, outscoring the Badgers 39-28 to secure the win.

The Hawkeyes Are Coming Off A Win

Iowa’s season record dropped to 15-14 after a 68-57 road loss to Northwestern on Friday. The Hawkeyes entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 125, falling well short of the O/U line of 149.5.

Trailing 30-26 at halftime, Iowa couldn’t turn things around in the second half, scoring 31 points while allowing 38.

Spartans Offense Breakdown

Michigan State’s offense struggled with efficiency in their last game, shooting just 39.4% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 45.1%, and they hit only 46.2% of their free throws.

Jaden Akins led the way with 19 points, hitting 4 of 9 threes, while John Blackwell added 16 points despite missing all 6 of his three-point attempts. Nolan Winter contributed 12 points and 17 rebounds, and Jase Richardson chipped in 11 points and 6 assists, connecting on 3 of 6 from deep.

Hawkeyes Offense Breakdown

In their last game, Iowa’s offense struggled, putting up just 57 points on 36.2% shooting from the field. They hit 32% from three-point range, connecting on 8 of 25 attempts, and finished with an effective field goal percentage of 43.1%.

K.J. Windham led the way with 20 points, hitting 4 of 7 from deep, while Drew Thelwell was perfect from three, going 4 for 4 and finishing with 14 points. Nick Martinelli added 16 points and 9 rebounds, despite shooting just 35.7% from the floor.

Spartans Team Defense

Michigan State’s defense held their opponent to 62 points on 39% shooting from the field. They gave up 19 two-point baskets on 44 attempts, a 43% success rate for the opposing team.

From beyond the arc, the Spartans allowed 9 threes on 27 attempts, with the opponent shooting 33% from deep. Michigan State also sent them to the free-throw line 13 times, where they made 6, shooting 46%.

Hawkeyes Team Defense

Michigan State’s defense held their opponent to 62 points on 39% shooting, with 28 made field goals out of 71 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 19 two-point baskets on 44 attempts, a 43% shooting rate.

From three-point range, the Spartans gave up 9 threes on 27 attempts, with their opponent shooting 33%. They also sent them to the free-throw line 13 times, where they hit 6 free throws, shooting 46%. Michigan State allowed 13 offensive rebounds.

Spartans vs Hawkeyes Trends

• Through their last ten road games, Michigan State has an ATS record of just 8-2. However, their overall record was 8-2 while averaging 74 points per game.
• Although Iowa has a straight up record of 0-3 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 0-3. The team averaged 64 points per game in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Hawkeyes have a straight up record of 1-9. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-8.
• The Spartans have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 3-2 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.

Spartans vs Hawkeyes Prediction

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +6.5, the Hawkeyes is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 152.5 and our model has the Spartans and Hawkeyes finishing with a combined 145 points. Our pick is to take the under.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.