Associated Press
The Big Ten/ACC Challenge roundup …
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Clemson and Iowa had a lot in common, since both the Tigers and Hawkeyes knew what it was like to lose games they probably should have won this season.
Clemson responded with a surprisingly decisive win at Iowa, while the Hawkeyes’ season keeps heading in the wrong direction.
Andre Young had 19 points, freshman T.J. Sapp added 13 off the bench and Clemson pounded host Iowa 71-55 Tuesday night.
Tanner Smith added 14 rebounds and eight assists for the Tigers (4-2), who won for the ninth time in 13 Big Ten/ACC Challenge contests.
Minnesota 58, Virginia Tech 55
MINNEAPOLIS — Rodney Williams had 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks while filling in at power forward for injured star Trevor Mbakwe, lifting Minnesota to a 58-55 victory over Virginia Tech.
Erick Green scored 25 points for the Hokies (5-2) but was hampered in the final 19 seconds after falling off Williams Arena’s raised floor and landing on his right shoulder. He returned, and his 3-pointer at the buzzer rimmed out.
Michigan St. 65, Florida St. 49
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State earned a smash-mouth victory that made its coach smile.
Keith Appling scored a career-high 24 points and matched a personal best with seven rebounds to help the Spartans beat Florida State 65-49.
Michigan State held the Seminoles to 39 percent shooting and its starting guards — Appling and Brandon Wood — combined to grab 17 rebounds.
“We’re going to get this back where it belongs,” Spartans coach Tom Izzo said. “And where it belongs is guys gritting their teeth and getting after it.”
The Spartans (5-2) have won five straight after opening the season with losses to North Carolina and against Duke.