The Michigan State Spartans are looking to remain undefeated as they take on the Iowa Hawkeyes tonight. 

Iowa is also undefeated, and while the Hawkeyes have not played as tough a schedule as MSU, Ben McCollum’s team looks impressive in his first season leading the squad. This win would be good for Tom Izzo’s team if it can pull it off. 

Iowa looks far different this season than it did with Fran McCaffery, who was at Iowa for 15 seasons before he was let go this past offseason. McCollum brought in several players, including a star transfer at point guard in Bennett Stirtz. 

What are some of the Hawkeyes’ biggest strengths, and how can MSU prevent them from using those? Let’s break down where Iowa might give the Spartans problems. 

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Iowa shoots the three-ball exceptionally well as a team, connecting on 38 percent of its shots from the outside. Like McCaffery’s teams, McCollum’s Hawkeyes are connecting on their long shots. 

The Spartans are good at defending shots from beyond the arc, so Izzo’s team will try to limit the Hawkeyes from getting many good looks. The Spartans have done a nice job of that so far this season, so expect them to make life difficult for Iowa.

Stirtz has played like one of the best players in the conference, averaging nearly 19 points and five assists per game. He will face Spartan point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who will most certainly bring defensive intensity to try to slow down the future NBA Draft pick. 

One area Iowa is not strong in is rebounding. The Hawkeyes are ranked last in the Big Ten in defensive rebounds per game, only grabbing about 22. 

The Spartans are a better rebounding team, as it is a staple of Izzo’s philosophy. His teams have always been strong on the glass, and this team is no different. 

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MSU will out-effort Iowa on the glass and create more offensive opportunities, leading to more buckets. 

Iowa has been one of the best defensive teams in the conference, allowing the fewest points per game in the Big Ten at 61.1. The Spartans are right behind them at 61.6 points allowed per game. 

McCollum has done what McCaffery has not: built a high-level defense in Iowa. MSU occasionally struggles in the half-court, so finding open looks and connecting on them will be key. 

Iowa will not be an easy opponent for this Spartan team, so MSU must be on its A-game to remain undefeated.

Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on the game against Iowa when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

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Don’t forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.

A second round of snow is forecast for central Iowa after the Des Moines metro saw anywhere from 7 to 12 inches of snow over the Thanksgiving weekend.

While this storm won’t bring as much snow, it will be followed by a cold chill later in the week with temperatures dropping below freezing.

When will it snow again?

Snowflakes were already falling again in southern Iowa in the morning hours of Monday, Dec. 1. Central Iowa is also expected to see some flurries in the morning. The snowfall will peak in the late morning and end in the evening.

Southern Iowa, which is also under a winter weather advisory, could see another 1 to 3 inches of snow.

What is the snow forecast for Des Moines?

In Polk County, the northwest suburbs could see a half-inch of snow. Southeast Polk County could see closer to an inch of snow. A hazardous weather outlook was issued for Polk County and much of Iowa.

What is the forecast for the rest of the week in Des Moines?

There is a 20% chance of snow, accompanied by wind gusts up to 23 mph on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Des Moines, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will start to drop as the week goes on. By Wednesday evening, temperatures could hit a low of 10 degrees below zero, followed by a high of 11 degrees and sunny skies on Thursday.

Kate Kealey is the growth and development reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.