The Iowa Hawkeye men's basketball team is off to its first 2-0 start in the Big Ten conference since the 2002-2003 season. Tonight, a tough-nosed nemesis visits Iowa City and we're likely to learn a lot about where this season is headed.

Tom Izzo and his Michigan State squad are at Carver for a 6:05 tip-off on ESPN. The Spartans typically struggle a bit early in the year, playing an extremely tough schedule. This year, some injuries have been added to the mix, but the Hawks are "lucky" enough to get them just as they're getting healthy. And oh yeah, Michigan State is coming off a 20-point whooping of the Indiana Hoosiers on Monday. And, they've beaten Iowa eight consecutive times. No current Hawk has been part of a team that's knocked them off. I know, that's a gloomy outlook... don't get me wrong, this game is winnable.

One thing I believe Iowa is in desperate need of is improved play by Adam Woodbury. He's a junior now and struggling mightily, being outplayed by Gabe Olesani. Adam must improve or Gabe's minutes will continue to increase. Monday night, Adam played 18 minutes, and Olesani played 22. One thing that Woodbury brings that Iowa will need tonight, is toughness.

Iowa also needs improved guard play down the stretch in games. Key turnovers by Mike Gessell and Anthony Clemens made the final minutes of Monday night's game much more tenuous than they should have been.

The final thing that will be key tonight is how well the Hawks handle the physicality of Michigan State. Nobody gets "in your shorts" defensively quite like the Spartans. It could lead to shooting struggles for Iowa, which is something this team has already dealt with on many occasions this season.

Iowa is going for only their second win over Michigan State in their last 15 meetings. Win this one and Iowa has to be considered a Big Ten contender. Lose it and look at the upcoming schedule with visits to Minnesota, a home game against Ohio State (looking to return the favor of Iowa's win in Columbus two weeks ago), and a road game at #4 Wisconsin and this great start could become a memory all too fast...

More From 98.1 KHAK