No. 8 Iowa is favored tonight as the Hawkeyes try to end a two-game losing streak and stay in the Big 10 Conference championship hunt.
Michigan State (8-6, 2-6) comes to Carver-Hawkeye Arena tonight for a 6 p.m. tip. Iowa has won 22 of its last 24 games at home dating back to last season. The game will be carried on FS1.
Michigan St. vs. Iowa odds
The Hawkeyes are coming off a 80-75 loss at then No. 19 Illinois in a game that featured 22 lead changes and eight ties. C.J. Fredrick didn’t play due to a lower leg injury. Luka Garza and Joe Wieskamp led Iowa with 19 points each.
Garza saw some opportunities to pick up a road win.
“We had stretches where we could have won this game and we know that and we reflect on that — and that’s unfortunate. We only get to see them once and hopefully we’ll get to see them in the Big Ten Tournament or past that. We did some good things and were right there.”
Iowa remains a Final Four contender
Iowa (12-4, 6-3) now trails No. 4 Michigan by two games in the Big Ten Conference standings. At +550, Iowa sportsbooks feel Hawkeyes have the fourth-best odds to win the Big 10 Conference regular-season title. The Hawkeyes have better odds — at +300 — to reach the Final Four, according to the DraftKings Sportsbook. The number is +250 at FanDuel.
Michigan State’s NCAA odds look slim
Michigan State went 6-0 in nonconference play, including a 75-69 win Dec. 1 at then No. 6 Duke. The Spartans won’t be in the conference title hunt this year — tonight’s game marks the first time since the 2005-06 season that the Hawkeyes are ranked and the Spartans aren’t when the teams meet. The visit to Iowa is Michigan State’s third road game in six days. Iowa coach Fran McCaffrey said he’s expecting a tough challenge.
“When you look at them, they have a really good roster. We have the utmost respect for them. They beat us last year — they typically win and compete hard. They are going to defend. They are going to rebound. They just didn’t shoot it well the last couple games. I don’t think it’s something that will continue for them, and they have good shooters. They just didn’t shoot it well.”
Underdog Iowa State hosts West Virginia
Iowa State also has a 6 p.m. tip tonight as they host No. 17 West Virginia (11-5, 4-3) at Hilton Coliseum. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. Iowa State (2-9, 0-6) looks to get back on track after a 95-56 loss at Mississippi State over the weekend.
West Virginia vs. Iowa State odds
The Cyclones challenged the Mountaineers 70-65 in Morgantown, WV, but Iowa sportsbooks don’t expect another close call tonight in Ames. Iowa State has struggled since returning from a break of more than two weeks due to health and safety protocols. Steve Prohm‘s squad only had seven scholarship players available for Saturday’s game in Starkville, MS.
