“When you have a bad day, you look at it, kind of figure out what you can do,” Izzo said. “And a lot of times you can’t fix it. These are fixable. It’s just that they got to be fixed.” 

The Spartans (14-3, 5-1) have had to do a bit of soul-searching to get back to the brand of basketball that’s defined the program in Izzo’s 26 seasons at the helm. In that vein, Izzo said his team focused on the aforementioned sore spots in practice while sophomore guard A.J. Hoggard and senior center Marcus Bingham Jr. both said the team committed to going harder in practice to maximize their potential. 

For his part, Hoggard noted the loss as a “humble piece of pie” needed every now and then while Bingham said his missed free throws to close out the game against Northwestern have given him all the more incentive to bring greater energy into their upcoming contest against Wisconsin. 

“It fires me up a lot to go out there and play hard for my team,” Bingham said. “As a team, I think we’re going to be ready on Friday.” 

Scouting the opponent

Izzo cited Wisconsin (15-2, 6-1) as one of the “hottest teams” in the Big Ten and their recent run of form certainly backs it up. With seven wins in a row, either by upsetting league favorites like Purdue or simply taking care of business against Northwestern, they’ve tied Illinois for the conference lead. A shocking jump after being picked to finish as low as tenth in the league this preseason. 

Izzo was quick to point out some of the statistics that illustrate Wisconsin as a team, starting with their shooting. According to KenPom, their effective field goal percentage is 49.2% while their regular shooting percentage is a more pedestrian 42.5%, a trend Izzo found “odd” considering how well they’ve played. 

There were more positive notes. As a team, Izzo noted the Badgers rarely turn it over (only on 10.8% of offensive possessions, good for second in the country behind Iowa). Further, he said they generally don’t make a “whole lot of mistakes” and are flush with players who serve their roles well.

The numbers—and the supporting cast—fail to tell the whole story, however. 

It’s impossible to mention Wisconsin basketball this season without mentioning sophomore guard Johnny Davis. Averaging 22.1 points per game, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, he was named to the John R. Wooden Award Midseason shortlist and is rising up NBA Draft boards, a testament to how he’s become a “household name” to Izzo. 

Davis, found more with the ball than not, thrives in Wisconsin’s fabled swing offense, predicated on spacing and movement. Fast, crafty and untraceable to his spot, few guards in college basketball have given defenses more fits this year than the sophomore when he’s either working within the Badgers’ system or freelancing in the half-court.

Davis is joined in the backcourt by Badger mainstay and fifth-year guard Brad Davison (15.1 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game). Davison is far from a secret to Michigan State fans but Izzo gave him credit as a “key guy” for Wisconsin who shows versatility with his post work and three point shooting (35% from deep in 2021-22). 

Freshman guard Chucky Hepburn is the de-facto floor general for the Badgers, picking and choosing when to push it down the court and when to ease up. Davis has rightfully received much of the attention from opposing defenses but Hepburn has had some success as a scorer this season, most recently with 14 points in their last game against Northwestern. 

From there, junior forward Tyler Wahl (11 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 1.1 blocks per game) has consistently been Wisconsin’s third option this year. Izzo said Wahl’s the “x-factor” for the Badgers and a due source of their success on the court this season. Wisconsin’s front-court is also bolstered by a pair of seven footers in junior forward Steven Crowl and senior center Chris Vogt. 

The game marks a homecoming of sorts for redshirt senior Joey Hauser, a native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin and a former player in the Marquette-Wisconsin rivalry. Hauser dropped 27 points with seven rebounds in Michigan State's last matchup against the Badgers on Dec. 25, 2020, one of his single best performances in green and white. 

Hauser said he’s looking forward to seeing some of his family and friends from his home state while focused on getting Michigan State back on the winning side. As for Izzo? He said Kohl Center should be a good environment to play in due to the excitement of the crowd. 

“I’m sure it’ll be Fourth of July and Christmas when we get over there (for the) Friday night game in Madison, Wisconsin,” Izzo said.

Wisconsin hosts Michigan State on Friday night at 9 p.m. The game will be broadcast on FS1.