IOWA CITY, Iowa — In a thrilling display of resilience, the Michigan State basketball team staged yet another dramatic comeback at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, solidifying their status as the outright Big Ten champions. This season has been characterized by remarkable recoveries, making this latest victory feel particularly fitting. Despite Iowa holding a commanding 14-point lead early in the second half, the No. 7 Spartans unleashed a stunning 33-6 run to reclaim the lead, ultimately securing a 91-84 victory on Thursday night.
For the ninth time in ten games, the Spartans found themselves trailing at halftime. However, a spirited rally led to Tom Izzo securing his fifth outright conference crown, and his first since 2018. Remarkably, the Spartans have won six of those nine games where they trailed at the half, showcasing their fighting spirit. Having previously clinched a share of the Big Ten regular-season title when No. 15 U-M lost to No. 14 Maryland, the Spartans are now poised for success. They will host the Wolverines at noon on Sunday, a rematch of their earlier victory, though that game will hold little weight beyond the rivalry and NCAA tournament seeding.
Jase Richardson was instrumental in the win, scoring 22 points, while Jaden Akins shone in the second half, contributing 13 of his 15 points during that period. Both Jaxon Kohler and Jeremy Fears Jr. added 15 points, with Tre Holloman chipping in 11. On the other hand, Iowa (15-15, 6-13), which has historically performed well against MSU, must win their final game against Nebraska to secure the last spot in the now 15-team Big Ten tournament. Josh Dix led the Hawkeyes with 18 points, while teammates Payton Sandfort and Seydou Traore each added 15.
In his 30th season coaching the Spartans, Izzo achieved a significant milestone by tying with Indiana’s Bob Knight and Purdue’s Ward “Piggy” Lambert for the most Big Ten titles in history. Earlier this season, he surpassed Knight for the most conference victories, amassing a staggering 358 wins. Despite this being his fifth outright championship, it marks a return to glory since their last outright Big Ten title in 2018, a season marred by a second-round loss to Syracuse in the NCAA tournament.
This latest victory also served as a redemption for one of the most significant meltdowns in Izzo's career. During their previous encounter at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 25, 2023, the Spartans blew a 13-point lead in the final moments, ultimately losing in overtime. Learning from past mistakes, MSU was determined to avoid a repeat of that scenario.
Despite it being Iowa’s senior night, the stands were only half full, which perhaps ignited the Hawkeyes' performance. The Spartans found themselves trailing by double digits early in the game for the sixth time this season in Big Ten play. After a promising start with an 11-5 lead, MSU's offense stalled, struggling against Iowa's zone defense. The Hawkeyes went on a 22-2 run, forcing Izzo to call a timeout as Iowa stretched their lead to 27-13. The first half concluded with Iowa ahead 37-30, but the Spartans showed their ability to rally.
Continuing their resilient play, the Spartans battled back, with Iowa leading 58-48 at the 12:13 mark. However, Akins and Richardson quickly turned the tide, narrowing the gap with key baskets. Freshman Coen Carr electrified the crowd with a fastbreak dunk following a defensive rebound, and his contributions helped MSU regain the lead for the first time since the early moments of the game. The Spartans shot an impressive 68% in the second half, despite facing some challenges at the free-throw line, ultimately finishing strong to secure the victory.
For more updates on Michigan State basketball and their journey through the NCAA tournament, stay tuned. Contact Chris Solari at csolari@freepress.com and follow him on Twitter @chrissolari.
