And what Izzo saw Wednesday was far from his centers’ best.

“Tonight our bigs didn’t play as well,” Izzo said. “Give them credit that one game, and then I thought Payne fumbled the ball, and Nix didn’t get a chance to get into the thing.”

Although he matched a career high with 12 points, Payne struggled at times and committed three turnovers for the No. 11 Spartans (19-5 overall, 8-3 Big Ten). And Nix, who had as many turnovers as points (2), played just 14 minutes because of early foul trouble.

Both players knew they didn’t play to their potential Wednesday, as Nix called it “just a bad night for me.”

Knowing MSU’s center duo can’t afford a bad night Saturday, Izzo said Payne, Nix and senior forward Draymond Green will be busy watching film and practicing to prepare for Ohio State’s formidable front line.

Green, who is the leading candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year along with Sullinger, said Wednesday night’s performance from Nix and Payne has no bearing on what he expects Saturday.

“We know they’re capable,” Green said. “It’s just like that sometimes.”

And despite being disappointed in what he saw against the Nittany Lions, Izzo felt the same way as his senior leader and said it’s games like the one against the No. 3 Buckeyes that bring players to East Lansing.

“We got a lot of work to do in two days,” Izzo said. “But this is kind of a fun time. It’s a big game. We put ourselves in a position where we get to play in a big game, and I’m looking forward to it.”

For Payne — an Ohio native — the game is especially big. And although he said playing Ohio State isn’t something he looks ahead to, Payne is excited the game is approaching.

“I just always know it’s coming,” Payne said. “We don’t look forward because it’s going to be there. We just try to take it one game at a time, and now we’re up to Ohio State so we can focus on them.”