Iowa Basketball: 3 takeaways from dismantling of Michigan State

2. With Iowa’s greatest concern this season being defense, they put the nation on notice against MSU

There was no greater issue facing the Hawkeyes entering this season than their defense.  Despite owning, arguably, the most highly-touted – and the most efficient – offense in the nation, the Hawkeyes’ defense has been lackluster, ranking 113th in defensive efficiency.

But their defense, arguably, has not been that awful – they are holding teams to 0.88 points per possession on the season.  Their showing against Michigan State was one of the best of the year, as well, holding the Spartans to just 0.85 points per possession – as well as clips of 39.0% (2PT) and 28.6% (3PT).

That is the lowest PPP mark since Iowa held Purdue to the exact same number on December 22nd, where the Boilermakers mustered just 55 points.  That is significantly noteworthy for the Hawkeyes, too, considering that, in their last six games prior to the MSU game – where they were 2-4 – Iowa allowed teams to score an average of 1.14 points per possession against them.

Michigan State is by no means a stellar offensive team – the Spartans are sub-225 nationally in both 2P% and 3P%, and are also among the worst in the Big Ten in those categories – but it is absolutely a positive takeaway considering the Spartans recorded a 1.20 average with 39.0% (2PT) and 41.4% (3PT) clips when these two teams met back on February 2nd.

In addition to Michigan State’s PPP mark being the lowest since the Purdue game on December 22nd, it is also the lowest number of points allowed by an Iowa opponent since that Boilermaker tilt.  That does not necessarily mean that the Hawkeyes are going to continue to be defensive juggernauts – but it does prove that Iowa is very much capable of shutting teams down.