In Big Ten conference tournament action, the No. 3 seed Michigan State Spartans will look to defeat a hungry Iowa Hawkeyes team tonight at 9 p.m. at the United Center in Chicago.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams this year and the Spartans will certainly be looking to build on the momentum they've created since losing three conference games in a row to Indiana, Ohio State, and in-state rival Michigan.
Keith Appling is averaging 13.5 ppg and nearly four assists per game for the Spartans while Gary Harris had added 13.2 ppg. While the two account for nearly 39 percent of the team's points each game, an average performance by these two players will not be enough to hold off the Hawkeyes.
Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix have been spectacular in the paint, averaging nearly 14 rebounds per game between the two of them, but they are going up against a team that is 11th in the country in rebounds per game.
The Spartans will need to get out in front early if they hope to hold off the Hawkeyes who, despite having the worst record between the two teams, lead the Spartans in overall points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game.
Roy Devyn Marble's 14.3 ppg combined with Aaron White's 13.5 ppg and 6.1 boards per game could be the deciding factor in the match-up. If the duo can continue to out-perform Appling and Harris of MSU, this game could be a nail biter as well as the first upset in this year's Big Ten tournament.
Live Stream
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