The Spartans (11-1 overall) are fresh off having 12 players score en route to running New Orleans (3-5) out of Breslin Center in a 53-point blowout. Despite his team erupting for a triple-digit performance in the team’s nonconference finale, head coach Tom Izzo still has concerns about the streaky Nittany Lions (9-4).

“We got our work cut out for us — they’ve been on the up and down, because I think they’ve had the mixing up of their lineup a little bit,” Izzo said after Saturday’s game. “I think Pat (Chambers) is one of the best coaches in the league. It’s going to be a weird night up there on New Year’s Eve, so the game concerns me a lot.”

Izzo also added the quick turnaround between games will make it harder to gameplan for their first Big Ten opponent. Just having two days off after such a spectacle on Saturday might be nice for momentum, but the guards will need all the time they can to prepare for Tuesday.

Penn State possesses one of the nation’s most feared back courts, with D.J. Newbill and Tim Frazier scoring more than 18 points apiece this season. The Spartans have not seen Frazier on the court since 2011 due to an Achilles injury he was rehabbing throughout last season, but the Green and White have had their fill of Newbill.

In their lone matchup against Penn State last season, Newbill lit up the Spartans for 27 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field. Izzo not only pointed him out as being a possible headache, but also guard John Johnson, a transfer from Pittsburgh. Johnson was cleared by the NCAA to play this season just in time to pour 20 points on Mount St. Mary’s in PSU’s most recent game.

Along with being one of the most athletic, experienced and lightning-quick teams in the country, the Spartans can also find solace in something they haven’t seen in weeks – health.

Although sophomore forward Branden Dawson missed Saturday’s win with a bruised shin, Izzo confirmed the injury was not serious and even added that he could have played against New Orleans. After battling mononucleosis for the better part of December, sophomore forward Matt Costello is back with the team, but also sat the whole game Saturday and will likely not start against Penn State as he is regaining his strength after the illness.

When asked about how prepared he feels his team is, Izzo immediately pointed to injuries as the reason why that answer is more of a blurry picture.

“I keep saying ‘I don’t know if I have my full team,’” Izzo said. “I like the direction we’re heading, but I just need more consistency. When you don’t get to practice and integrate for three weeks, I shouldn’t be totally surprised at the lack of consistency.”