Michigan State at Iowa

Recap

The Big Storyline: Iowa pulled the upset and beat Michigan State with a 196.150. Beam gave both teams some trouble, each team had to count a fall and Michigan State didn’t put up an event score higher than a 49.250. Iowa finished strong on floor with a 49.425. 

Implications: Michigan State’s low score drops it to third place in the Big Ten, with Ohio State taking the second place spot. Iowa also drops down from fourth to fifth place. The Spartans will definitely not want to count this score towards their NQS, but it’s their lowest score so far, so they should be able to drop it. 

Controversies: Floor scores seemed pretty low across the board compared to how the event has been judged this season, but Iowa still scored a stellar 49.425.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 12 Michigan State at No. 17 Iowa

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: If you like a tight competition, this meet could be one to watch. Michigan State’s and Iowa’s season averages are only separated by three tenths, which theoretically means that either team could come out on top. But Michigan State’s high of 197.450 is a lot higher than Iowa’s high of 196.900, so the Hawkeyes will need to hit to their full potential and maybe even rely on some home mat advantage. 

Need More Proof? Gabi Stephen’s Yurchenko full has been near-perfect all year. She scored a 9.925 last week, so keep an eye out for a perfect 9.950 if she nails it. Iowa’s Karina Muñoz made her all-around debut on Monday and scored a 39.350. If she can improve her 9.700 bars score, expect that score to shoot up even higher.