1. ALL-TIME vs. MICHIGAN STATE

Wisconsin trails the all-time series with Michigan State, 67-86, however the recent meetings have been much closer since the turn of the century. Since the 2001-02 season when Bo Ryan and Greg Gard arrived at Wisconsin, the Spartans lead the series 23-20. Prior to 2001-02, MSU led the all-time series 63-47.

Tuesday will mark the 50th meeting between Wisconsin and Michigan State since 2000, marking UW's most-played opponent in that span.

 Wisconsin has won two straight games in East Lansing. The Badgers have never won three straight games at the Breslin Center. The last time UW won three straight games at Michigan State was 1961-63 at Jenison Field House.

2. SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Michigan state is currently 4-3 on the season and coming off an 86-55 win against Georgia Southern on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

The Spartans have one of the better scorers in the country in Tyson Walker, who is averaging 20.5 points per game this season. Jaden Akins is the other player averaging double-digit scoring for MSU with 10.7 points, also grabbing 5.9 rebounds per game.

3. LAST TIME OUT

The Badgers are coming off a rivalry win over then-ranked-No. 3 Marquette. It was a 75-64 win at the Kohl Center last Saturday. With the win, Wisconsin won its third straight game over Marquette.

Wisconsin notched its 11th top-10 win (seventh top-five win) under head coach Greg Gard. In the Big Ten, only Michigan State (8) has more top-five wins during the Gard era (since 2015-16).

4. MAD MAX

Max Klesmit had a day in Wisconsin's upset win over No. 3 Marquette. The junior guard finished with a game-high 21 points, the most in his UW career. He scored all his baskets in the first half, the most for a Badger in a half since Johnny Davis racked up 27 points in the second half in a win at No.3 Purdue on Jan. 3, 2022. 

Klesmit drilled five 3-pointers, which marked his fourth career game where he has hit at least five triples (second at UW). The Badgers are now 3-0 this season when Klesmit scores in double figures.

5. BIG TEN BEASTS

Wisconsin has won 20 Big Ten regular-season championships, trailing only Purdue (25) and Indiana (22) for most conference titles. Since 2002, UW has won six Big Ten regular season titles (02-03-08-15-20-22), matching Michigan State (6) for the most titles during that span.

Since the 2001-02 season when Bo Ryan and Greg Gard arrived in Madison, UW has the most Big Ten wins and the best win percentage at 265-129 (.673).

Under Gard, the Badgers are 93-61 (.604) in Big Ten play. Gard’s .604 win percentage ranks eighth among Big Ten coaches of the last 40 years (since 1980).