Iowa Basketball: Michigan State game postponed over covid concerns

The Iowa basketball team will not play Michigan State on Thursday after two Spartans players tested positive for the virus.

The No. 5 ranked Iowa basketball team will not be playing on Thursday evening against Michigan State, according to the University of Iowa.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo announced on Wednesday that sophomore guard Steven Izzo and freshman forward Mady Sissoko both tested positive for covid.

The university said in a statement that the matchup between the Hawkeyes and Spartans has been postponed “as mutually agreed upon out of an abundance of caution” relating to Michigan State’s positive cases.

As of Wednesday evening, there has been no announcement on a rescheduled date.

https://twitter.com/IowaHoops/status/1349523044541353985

The Hawkeyes have not beaten the Spartans since Jan. 2016. It appears Iowa’s winless streak against Izzo will continue for at least a few more weeks, and potentially longer. Michigan State is 8-2 against Iowa in their last 10 meetings.

According to Odds Shark, Iowa had been a 9-point favorite. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gave the Hawkeyes an 84.9% chance of winning.

With Thursday’s postponement, the 11-2 Hawkeyes now turn their attention to Sunday’s matchup on the road against the Northwestern Wildcats (6-4). Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 pm CT on Big Ten Network.