COLLEGE BASKETBALL — February 2

MICHIGAN STATE at WISCONSIN
(Wisconsin -2, Total 125) — This has the potential to be a tough spot for the Spartans, who are on a ten-game winning streak but have dropped four of the last five to the number. Against Wisconsin they are facing a team that indeed knows how to take care of the ball (just 9.8 turnovers per game!), and the Badgers have won 14 of their 15 home games. Michigan State has not had a particularly difficult time slowing the Badger offense in recent meetings, holding them to 50 points in last year’s encounter and 47 points, on 33% shooting. And Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer, who scored 21 points in that game on 9-for19 shooting and is the most effective big presence, is out with a wrist injury. Without him, Wisconsin shot 25% in that game. MSU seems to be in a better shooting groove, hitting 50% in their last two games. An undefeated Big Ten season may have been the farthest thing from Tom Izzo’s at the season’s outset, but it’s within reach, as is a #1 NCAA tournament seed. We like the side getting points.

THE PLAY: MICHIGAN STATE +2 ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)