Compounding the Badgers’ plight this week, Kobe King, Wisconsin’s second-leading scorer, announced his decision to leave the program Wednesday. 

“You've got to win games on the road if you're going to play for anything big,” MSU coach Tom Izzo said. “It's like an injury. What happens is ... they had Iowa down 12 without Kobe (King). … I don't know how they lost the game. Davison is a good player, good defensive player … You know that place is going to rally behind these guys. I'm still more concerned about my guys than I am their guys."

MSU senior guard Cassius Winston shook off a subpar first half in Wednesday’s win over Northwestern and flashed the form Izzo continues to seek out of the veteran guard; he finished with 18 points. Winston, who at one point opened up about his fluctuating passion for the game in lieu of his brother Zachary’s death, seems to slowly be regaining his disposition ahead of the road stint.

“I was just out there having fun,” Winston said when describing his celebration following a three on Wednesday. “Basketball is a lot of fun for me, brings a lot of joy. You get moments, you realize that you love the game and you enjoy it so much. It's always good to have."

Prediction (MSU -5.5, O/U 127)

Paolo Giannandrea: 63-57, MSU

Jayna Bardahl: 65-57, MSU