Michigan State might be far removed from its top-5 preseason ranking, but the Spartans are rounding into form as most Tom Izzo-coached teams do as March approaches. Michigan State, which is sixth in the Big 10, has won three straight games after a 1-4 start to league play and will look for a marquee road conference victory as small underdogs Friday night in Madison against the No. 13 Badgers.
Wisconsin has won back-to-back games after surviving on the road against Minnesota (61-59) on Tuesday. Over their 14-2 stretch dating back to November, Wisconsin’s only losses were to then-No.