Iowa Hoops: MSU blow Hawks out in McCollum’s welcome to the Big Ten

The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-1, 0-1) lost in Ben McCollum’s first Big Ten game, 71-52, to a daunting Michigan State team (8-0, 1-0) who looked every part of a top 10 team at home.

I’ll spare the full recap but it was extended scoreless droughts which kept the Hawkeyes from keeping this one closer, though they started out with a 5-0 lead, that was roughly the high point. Other silver linings for me was a fine defensive effort (more on that later) and the stretch in the first half where McCollum turned Brendan Hausen loose for 7 points on 3 straight possessions (It closed the gap to 10 with 2:28 remaining in the frame).

But yeah, the first half droughts: 6:03, 3:42 (13-point MSU run), & 4:06 crossing over halftime. That’s the game.

Takeaways

• Bennett Stirtz just has to shoot more. I get that MSU is an excellent defensive team but this is the type of game where the star has to carry the load. 10 shots just isn’t enough and, of course, credit does go to the Spartans for making life tough for him. 14 points, 4/10 shooting, 3/8 from 3, 4 turnovers. He looked wayyy out of sorts on his misses which included an airball and a couple ugly ones from the foul line.

• Rebounding is a part of defense and Iowa STUNK there. 13 offensive rebounds for MSU to just 12 defensive boards for Iowa and even that undersells how bad it was. There were too many foul calls off Michigan State shot attempts to count and played a part in 21 second chance points.

• But defensively, you squint hard enough and there were some good things to take away – Jeremy Fears went 2/6 from the floor but did get to the line 10 times. Jaxon Kohler was just 5/12. The Hawks forced 14 Spartan turnovers and scored 18 points off of them. The game was largely played at Iowa’s pace, too, which is simultaneously encouraging and discouraging (the offense just has to be there).

That just about does it for me. I had a bit of optimism coming in for tonight’s game but the ultimate takeaway for me is that this Michigan State team is really freaking good. Breslin Center has been a House of Horrors for the better part of 3 decades, save for a stretch under Fran where Iowa won something like 2 of 3 vs substandard Michigan State squads. It will be difficult for anyone to go into East Lansing and come out with a victory this season.

Next up: Saturday, 12/6 vs Maryland