Spartan Hoopla: Michigan State Badgered at Kohl Center on Groundhog Day

In the movie Groundhog Day , Bill Murray's character gets a chance to relive Feb. 2 over and over until he finally gets it right.

That's not the case for Tom Izzo's Spartans (19-4, 9-1), who were absolutely manhandled by Wisconsin 67-49 on Tuesday night. It would seem that the Kohl Center curse had its desired effect on the Spartans; they dropped their seventh consecutive game in Bo Ryan's house.

Michigan State's first loss in conference play means one thing: It's time to put up or shut up.

Thirteen turnovers to Wisconsin's five; it's simple math that has a simple solution.

A team that turns the ball over less has a better chance to win.

When the Spartans decide to play a fast-paced style, they thrive. They also "give it away" more than Anthony Kiedis and the Red Hot Chili Peppers do. 

Kalin Lucas, Michigan State's leading scorer and offensive weapon, rolled his ankle on Keaton Nankivil's foot (Wisconsin) when he came down from a jump shot with just over 10 minutes to play.

The Big Ten's Player of the Year from a year ago scored just seven points in 22 minutes—he was shut down.

Had Lucas stayed in the game, the outcome probably wouldn't have been much different.

Michigan State's lack of perimeter defense allowed the Badgers to shoot freely from three-land, something that they do at least 20 times per contest. Wisconsin was only able to get nine to go (of 26), but that's all it needed to surpass the Big Ten's leading act.

Trevon Hughes wasn't a factor, but Jason Bohannon was for Ryan's unit. Bohannon led the Badgers with 19 points and was a pest for the Spartans' defense.

The 6'2" junior was a threat from nearly everywhere on the floor, scoring nine of his 19 points from beyond 20'9".

Izzo's Spartans are still the team to beat in the Big Ten—that hasn't changed. One loss isn't the end of the world, but perhaps it's the wake-up call the team needed. Sliding by mediocre teams by the skin of its teeth was bound to catch up with Michigan State at some point. It's better now than down the road in March.

Wisconsin proved that the way to beat the Spartans is to outsmart them at their own game. Run the court faster, get points in transition, and shoot the three-ball—all things that Michigan State does, and does well.

Raymar Morgan continues to have his ups and downs, only scoring eight points (down) but raking in 10 boards (up).

Delvon Roe has to be a factor come tournament time. He's as close to a big-man that Michigan State has other than Draymond Green.

Green's 27 minutes were relatively unproductive in the offensive aspect, only scoring six points, but he did manage to pull down five rebounds.

Chris Allen's shooting slump continues to plague Michigan State's offense. He was 0-for-3 from three-point range, and didn't tally one point.

Allen is a viable scoring threat for Izzo—he just doesn't score. 

Villanova, Syracuse, and Kentucky all continue on their maniacal paces en route to the big dance. The Spartans have just stubbed their toe, don't count them out just yet. MSU is the fifth-ranked team in the nation for a reason. The obvious basis is that they are the fifth-best team, right behind Syracuse, Kentucky, Kansas, and Villanova.

At the end of the day, it's just one loss and one game. The Big Ten is still Michigan State's to lose.

Izzo's clan will test its road skills (5-3) once again Saturday, this time in Champaign-Urbana against Mike Davis and the Illini. Next on the menu are the Purdue Boilermakers on Feb. 9 at the Breslin Center.

Once coined "Hell Week" for the Spartans, it's imperative that the team wins 2-of-3 in the span of Feb. 2-9 to remain in the country's "elite" category.

Game Notes

Michigan State drops to 22-42 all-time at the Kohl Center.

Bo Ryan owns the Spartans; he's 12-5 against them.

Kalin Lucas' ankle injury may not be as serious as initially thought.

Just like the Spartans, the Wisconsin Badgers are the only team in the Big Ten that haven't lost a game at home in 2009-10.