Dave's College Basketball Picks, Jan. 29: Michigan State at Iowa

No. 9 Michigan State (16-3, 6-1) at Iowa (12-8, 2-5)

Line: Michigan St. -6.5

Michigan State came from behind to beat Ohio State 78-67 on Sunday.  Their 35-19 rebound advantage over the Buckeyes is a big reason why.  4-0 on the road in the Big Ten, the Spartans average about 10 more rebounds a game than Iowa.

Iowa had a great chance to beat Penn St. but let it slip away at the end and lost 59-63. Lacking depth and on the road, the Hawkeyes ran out of gas. Not one point for Iowa came from the bench.

There was talk several days ago that the Michigan State game would be the return of inside force Cyrus Tate, but the ankle did not respond well to practice on Monday, and he has been ruled out. Iowa is also shorthanded because of Anthony Tucker being ruled academically ineligible for the rest of the year. 

ATS

Michigan State is 8-8 ATS, including 4-1 on the road.

Iowa is 9-6 ATS, including 4-2 at home.

Iowa is 6-4 ATS against Michigan State in their last 10 matchups.

Iowa has won five straight against Michigan State in home or neutral site games.  Going back to the Wisconsin game, we were on the Iowa bandwagon when stationed in Iowa City.  If healthy, Iowa probably wins this game outright and may have been favored. Even shorthanded, I look for Iowa to give the Spartans all they can handle.

Dave’s Pick: Iowa +6.5

See all of Dave's College Basketball Picks Against the Spread at cfbplace.com and soon at cbbplace.com.