“We’re planning for anything,” Izzo said. “When people think you’re better than you are ­— even though we don’t — sometimes they’ll try to do some different things offensively or defensively if they think that’s what they need.”

Although MSU hopes to be prepared for whatever the Wildcats have waiting for the conference’s only undefeated team, Izzo said he has an idea of what Northwestern will try to do to slow down the Spartans. The 17-year head coach said he expects the Wildcats, who have played primarily zone under head coach Bill Carmody, to use man-to-man and zone defenses equally.

Against the 2-3 and 1-3-1 zones, Izzo said it will be important to pass and shoot the ball well.

Unlike last season, sharing and shooting the ball well have not been a problem, especially with senior guard Austin Thornton finding confidence in his stroke recently. Izzo has been encouraging Thornton to shoot more all season, and after practice Thursday, he said the fifth-year senior could be a factor Saturday and the rest of the season.

“I think Austin is another key as to why we’ve been getting better,” Izzo said. “He understands things, he knows how to play defense, and I think his defense has gotten better. And I think that’s solely because his offense is a little better.”

Thornton said he feels more comfortable with every facet of his game than he has in the past, and he has embraced his role as a leader and contributor off the bench.

“It’s been a work in progress,” Thornton said. “But it’s finally coming along.”

As for the defensive side of the court, Izzo said the Wildcats don’t have many secrets.

Known for their Princeton style offense — which makes players pay for overplaying the passing lanes by using backdoor cuts — the real keys to the Wildcats’ offense are forward John Shurna and guard Drew Crawford. Averaging 18.9 and 17.4 points per game, respectively, Shurna and Crawford rank No. 1 and No. 3 in the Big Ten in scoring.

Izzo said it will be up to mostly senior forward Draymond Green and senior guard Brandon Wood to defend Shurna and Crawford. Green said they will be ready for the challenge, but he knows it won’t be easy.

“They’re one of the best in the Big Ten for sure,” Green said. “Both guys can really score the basketball, and both guys have a lot of size on them, so they can do some things with the ball.”

With that respect, Green said the Spartans will be focused on the task at hand as they travel to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Saturday. And although the Wildcats are slumping, he said he’s not worried about MSU looking ahead to playing No. 13 Michigan on Tuesday at Crisler Arena.

“A lot of these guys don’t even know who we play next after Northwestern,” Green said. “We’re taking it one game at a time. That’s how we’ve been doing it all year, and it’s not going to change now because a certain team comes up on our schedule.”