3 Takeaways: Depth steps up, time off a plus, relentless schedule

EAST LANSING, Mich. — With a healthy Denzel Valentine, Michigan State appeared to have every edge going into its match-up with Iowa.

Not only were the Spartans at home against a team they had beaten decisively in their previous 18 meetings, but Valentine is one of the nation's most versatile players. That appeared to give Michigan State (16-2, 3-2 Big Ten) the edge in almost every area, including depth.

But Iowa's depth was crucial in its 76-59 upset of the No. 4-ranked Spartans. The Hawkeyes (13-3, 4-0 Big Ten) used 10 players out of necessity in the first half, mostly because point guard Mike Gesell picked up his second foul two minutes into the game. The Hawkeyes had to spell Clemmons, who shifted to the point in Gesell's absence, and used freshman Christian Williams for four minutes. Every lineup seemed to work for No. 19 Iowa.

Sophomore forward Dominique Uhl entered the game when Gesell left and immediately made an impact. With the Hawkeyes leading early, Uhl scored putbacks on two consecutive possessions to keep Iowa ahead by three points both times. Then one series later, Uhl drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key to push Iowa's lead to 17-11.

'Just provide a spark off the bench, come in and get rebounds, a scoring punch,' Uhl said about his charge when he enters the game.

Uhl provides much more than his humble words. He finished with 10 points in the first half and hit four of his five shots. He also grabbed five rebounds in 17 minutes. With his 3-point prowess (48.3 percent this year), plus growth as a rebounder, the 6-foot-9 Uhl has positioned himself into a candidate for the Big Ten's sixth man of the year award. His best position is forward but he has been pressed into duty at center and handled the transition without complaint. He's become a mismatch for opponents.

'We felt when we signed him we had something special and obviously we do,' McCaffery said. 'He's got a unique game. I thought his activity level (Thursday) night, obviously he made four baskets and a couple 3s but his tip-ins, they were special. If you're in that environment and you're getting putbacks … they're a team that expects to get putbacks. So we're getting offensive rebound putbacks because of him.

'He spreads the floor and spreads the defense because even if he's at the four, that's one thing. But if he's at the five, now he's pulling the five man away and shooting 3s, which is a game changer. I couldn't be happier for him and I'm proud of him because he's really worked hard to get his game where it is.'

Other players were crucial as well. Freshman Ahmad Wagner played only four minutes and missed his only shot, but his defense was vital. After committing a charge, Wagner got back on defense and secured a steal. Two possessions later, he blocked a shot and grabbed the rebound. That contributed to seven consecutive scoreless series for the Spartans. Wagner finished with two rebounds and two steals.

'You can't ask for any more than Dom Uhl is giving us,' McCaffery said. 'I think Brady Ellingson has been real solid. I think Nicholas Baer has been spectacular as well. Ahmad Wagner doing everything you can ask him to do and you can see him getting better and better. Getting Christian Williams in the game was key because he gives you a defender, he gives you length. But he can also play the point. We still have Andrew Fleming sitting there, who I have confidence in. We didn't play him last night but he has been playing better in practice.'

2. Nine days off, nein problem.

The quirkiness that is Big Ten basketball scheduling gave the Hawkeyes an odd nine-day break between a home game against Nebraska and a road trip to Michigan State. While there was concern the time off could derail the Hawkeyes' momentum, it turned out to be beneficial.

Guard Anthony Clemmons suffered a hip injury at Purdue on Jan. 2, and played only 17 minutes in a 77-66 win against Nebraska on Jan. 5. He didn't practice again until Jan. 11, but scored 13 points in 31 minutes against the Spartans. He was sharp, focused and every bit as athletic as he was in previous games. So the extra time helped him.

But would his teammates come out refreshed or rusty? That was something McCaffery didn't know until the team was in action.

'I would say this, honestly I don't remember in all my years of coaching, having nine days off in the middle of the season,' McCaffery said. 'We all get a bye, but nine days, that was a long time. It felt like we played Nebraska a month ago. I guess my answer would be, I didn't know. I have never been through this before.'

Iowa's first-half execution put to rest any concerns about rust. Iowa shot 51.5 percent and hit 9 of 15 3-point attempts. Michigan State sank only eight shots in the first half. Iowa scored 17 points off 14 Michigan State turnovers, out-rebounded the Spartans 19-12 and scored nine points off second-chance opportunities.

'It is almost better to play a team of this caliber and this reputation on the road because you know you are going to get every ounce of effort that your guys have,' McCaffery said. 'There is a tremendous amount of respect. They have beaten us a bunch of times in a row, and they just came out ready and focused and everything you want as a coach. I did not see it coming. ... I just hoped we would consistently play the way we did.'

As for the players, the nine days felt like an eternity, especially without classes until next week.

'It's tough, because usually nine days you get into a little bit of a lull, you don't get really in game shape and you're practicing,' Iowa senior Jarrod Uthoff said. 'I think everybody on the team did a nice job of staying in the gym locked in.'

3. Relentless schedule.

The harsh reality of Big Ten basketball smacks both Iowa and Michigan squarely in the face this weekend.

Both the Hawkeyes and Wolverines beat teams ranked among the nation's top four this week, yet the Big Ten treadmill remains cranked up at the double-quick for both programs. They meet on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena with an opportunity to cement their status as a Big Ten favorite.

For the loser, the impressive win will fade into memory dust. It's just as well. Both Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery and Michigan Coach John Beilein have conditioned their troops to set aside every result regardless of its outcome and focus on the moment.

'It's such a long season and it's such a long journey, if you get too hyped up about one victory or too down on yourself after one loss, then it can affect the next month,' McCaffery said. 'Forget about the next week.'

'I think our guys understand that fame is fleeting, as are defeats,' Beilein said. 'You've just got to keep moving on.'

Minutes after the No. 19 Hawkeyes blasted No. 4 Michigan State 76-59 — the program's first win at the Breslin Center in 23 years — Iowa's players mentally tempered their excitement. As much as they were thrilled with the victory, they also understood their next opponent is a traditional power.

'You learn from it, you talk about it for a day, then you move on,' Iowa forward Jarrod Uthoff said.

Michigan (13-4, 3-1 Big Ten) upended No. 3 Maryland 70-67 on Tuesday and rolls into Iowa City on Sunday. The Wolverines were missing All-American-caliber guard Caris LeVert but still drilled 12 3-pointers for the victory. All four Michigan losses have come to teams currently or formerly ranked.

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