Coach Ben McCollum parlayed his success at Drake last year into taking the job at Iowa, and he's producing as the Hawkeyes are 7-0 while being underrated the whole way, covering the spread in six of the games. The team is shooting 53.1% from the field, good enough for eighth in the nation. But this will be their first test tonight at Michigan State. They'll be an underdog for the first time this year. They've had an easy schedule to start, with their stiffest competition being Mississippi, which they were favored by 4. Michigan State is also 7-0, except they beat three ranked teams: Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Their defense only allows 38% shooting, and part of the reason I'm betting Michigan State.

Tom Izzo has his Spartans flying high at No. 7 in the polls after recent romps past Kentucky and North Carolina...but might this actually be MSU's toughest test yet? Iowa has immediately absorbed the shrewd tactics of new HC Ben McCollum, who thus far is doing everything in Iowa City as he did last year at Drake. The Hawkeyes play defense (only 61.1 ppg allowed; ranks 7th) and remain absurdly efficient, hitting 53% from the floor (ranks 8th) as Drake transfer Bennett Stirtz (18.6 ppg) plays at an All-Big Ten level. True, soph G Jeremy Fears Jr (19 points vs. the Tar Heels) looks like Izzo's newest star, but pulling clear of McCollum's Iowa might prove a chore. Play Iowa.