Offense meets defense when the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes (16-3, 5-3 Big 10) welcome the No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (17-2, 8-0 Big 10) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 24, 2019.
Michigan State Spartans at Iowa Hawkeyes Free Prediction
In the Spartans’ last matchup, they beat the No. 13 Maryland Terrapins, 69-55. The Spartans had a better free throw rate (0.115 vs. 0.066), while the Terrapins had a turnover percentage of 15.8 (above the 12.5 mark opponents have averaged against Michigan State this season). Kenny Goins played well for Michigan State, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The Hawkeyes dismantled the Illinois Fighting Illini in their last contest, 95-71. Iowa’s 0.240 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Illinois, who had a rate of 0.087. The Hawkeyes’ mark was below their season average of 0.379, while the Fighting Illini’s was below their season average of 0.183. Joe Wieskamp was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 8-for-8 shooting from the field.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Iowa (12th in the country with an offensive efficiency of 117.4) takes on the stingy defense of Michigan State (31st in the country with a defensive efficiency of 93.5).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Goins put up 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the first game, in which the Spartans defeated the Hawkeyes 90-68. The Spartans had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.542 vs. 0.375) and had a much better free throw rate (0.417 vs. 0.313).
Michigan State Spartans at Iowa Hawkeyes ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Iowa, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Michigan State averages 20.6 assists per game, which ranks first in the country. Iowa ranks 219th in assists allowed per game (15.4).
The Spartans rank third in rebounds per game (43.5) while the Hawkeyes rank 102nd (36.6).
Michigan State averages 22.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 149th in the NCAA. Iowa ranks 228th in three pointers allowed per game (25.0).
The Spartans rank eighth in blocks per game (5.7) while the Hawkeyes rank 72nd (3.8).
Iowa averages 6.5 steals per game, which ranks 103rd in the country. Michigan State ranks 105th in steals allowed per game (6.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Spartans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.4, down from 17.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hawkeyes have scored an average of 84.4 points per game (1.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.4 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
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