Everyone is giving the Big Green its best shot: and #5 Michigan State keeps on winning with a school record 9-0 sprint to start the conference season. But, to be honest, until tonight's stint at #16 Wisconsin, Michigan State has yet to travel faced the four other contenders for the Big Ten crown: Wisky, Purdue, Illinois, and Ohio State. Wisky has this game circled on their calendar; it is their biggest game of the year. Tipoff 9 pm EST on ESPN.

Dating back to 2001, the Badgers have an 11-5 series lead over Michigan State. All of MSU's wins were at the Breslin Center or in the Big Ten tourney. Matter of fact, the last time MSU beat Wisconsin in Madison was a 51-47 victory under then-Wisconsin coach Brad Soderberg on February 27, 2001. Under Bo Ryan, Wisconsin has never lost to Michigan State at home. It's time for a change, no?

But, yes, this is the start to the roughest stretch of the season for MSU. This is where the Big Ten grow men.

Feb 2 at #16 Wisconsin (6-3)
Feb 6 at Illinois (6-3)
Feb 9 vs #8 Purdue (5-3)
Feb 13 at Penn St (0-8)
Feb 16 at Indiana (3-5)
Feb 21 vs #13 Ohio St (5-3)
Feb 27/28 at #8 Purdue (5-3)

Tonight, its Wisky. We beat 'em in East Lansing, 54-47, back on January 5. Now, their leading scorer, Jon Leur (21 pts, 7 rebs in previous meeting) is out. Instead, Wisky has turned their offense to 6-8 junior forward Keaton Nankivil, who has averaged 17. 3 points and seven rebounds over the past three games.

Prediction? MSU gets the Badgers off their backs, winning for the first time in Madison in 10 years. Michigan State 58, Wisconsin 56. Player of the game? Raymar Morgan rebounds from a 0-pt, 5-reb game vs Northwestern to post a double-double inspiring effort, including shutting down Nankivil to under 10 pts.