Wisconsin has won seven of its last eight games since opening the Big Ten schedule losing three of four — including an overtime loss to MSU at home. The win on Jan. 3 was MSU’s first in Madison, Wisc., since 2001.

The Spartans final stretch of six games includes five games against teams ranked in the top 60 that have been ranked in the top 25 at some point in the season. But the schedule isn’t easy for any other contender, senior forward Draymond Green said.

“It’s that time of the season,” Green said. “Everybody is going to have a tough stretch; just got to man up and try to get some wins.”

MSU head coach Tom Izzo agrees the Big Ten’s schedule is the hardest in the nation, especially in the thick of a conference title race. And going from one contender to another in less than a week doesn’t help his opinion.

“They’re playing their best basketball right now,” Izzo said of the Badgers. “They’ve beaten some pretty good teams on the road.”

Both teams play stifling defense, but the Badgers’ set-based offense also likely will keep the scoring low. The defense and slower-paced game can become bothersome, Green said.

“We have already played them, so it’s not quite as new, but it can get frustrating,” Green said. “You got to make sure you’re not turning the ball over and get something every possession because you won’t have as many (possessions).”

Izzo said the strong Wisconsin defense has been in place since Bo Ryan took over as head coach in 2001, but that the offense was slow to start this season and played into the struggles at the beginning of the conference slate.

Now, with preseason Big Ten Player of the Year candidate Jordan Taylor playing better, the team has started to roll.

The slow start likely was because teams could focus on Taylor, rather than departed forward Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankivil, Green said. Now, Taylor has found his rhythm, and the teammates have fallen in line.

In the last eight games, Taylor averages 16.5 points and 3.6 assists per game, including a 27 point outburst Thursday against Minnesota.

“He’s a lot more who everyone expected him to be,” Green said. “It all comes with him, with him playing better, everyone has stepped it up.”

The Badgers like to take charges and have strong low post presence, leading to centers junior Derrick Nix and sophomore Adreian Payne to come in and work out extra in anticipation.

“Me and him were shooting jump hooks, free throws,” Nix said. “Wisconsin is a better team than we played the first time, so we gotta be ready.”