IOWA CITY — Iowa is without its best player, Roy Devyn Marble (ankle sprain) but still feeding off the energy of a fairly raucous (though not full) Carver Hawkeye Arena and outplaying Michigan State.
The Spartans are lucky this is 28-24. They’ve done enough — especially Branden Dawson (7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block) and Adreian Payne (4 points, four rebounds) — to be in this game.
They’ve also had a few subpar performances (Travis Trice, Russell Byrd, Denzel Valentine) and, early on, let Iowa get way too comfortable offensively.
This is a defining second half here. MSU needs this one.
As for the Valentine vs. Anthony Clemmons comparison, statistically the former Sexton backcourt mates are about even. Valentine has four points, three rebounds, though three turnovers. For Iowa, Clemmons is scoreless, but has five assists, two turnovers, a block and a steal.
More after the game.
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Before the game I made this prediction
Spartan 81 says:
January 11, 2013 at 12:10 am
MSU 67
Iowa 62
Reply
I was off by a bucket but knew we would start out rough and pull it out with a slap the floor stand. Most road games will start our rough like this one. But mark my words this team will extend the NCAA streak to 16. 10-8 gets us in and this team should exceed that mark by a game or two, 12-6 , 23-9 and a 6 seed sounds about right.
Clean shirt, new shoes
and he don’t know which coed to choose.
Silk suit, black tie,
Iowa girls don’t need a reason why.
They come runnin’ just as fast as they can
coz every Hawkeye girl crazy ’bout a sharp dressed Graham
Gold watch, diamond ring,
He ain’t missin’ a single thing.
And cufflinks, stick pin,
when he steps out of Carver he gonna do you in.
They come runnin’ just as fast as they can
coz every Hawkeye girl crazy ’bout a sharp dressed Graham
Top coat, top hat,
He don’t worry coz Gannets expense account is fat.
Black shades, white gloves,
lookin’ sharp and lookin’ for some ESPN love
They come runnin’ just as fast as they can
coz every Iowa girl crazy ’bout a sharp dressed Graham..