The Spartans, having won all three previous encounters, ought to consider the Badgers little more than an hors d'oeuvre, but they're the ones wearing the frowns. You think you're finished with a team like that when you get done playing them, and then you're playing them again. The Badgers couldn't hope for a better attitude if they'd had it delivered from home. While they rattle rims and their coach cracks wise, their opponents can't decide whether the role of tournament favorite fits them like a mink coat or a straitjacket. Intangible advantages like this are as fragile as a jump shooter's ego, but Wisconsin understands that the longer it can stay in this argument, the better the chance that the Spartans will tire of it.
Whole marriages operate that way.
But if it's not handled properly, I think it definitely hurts you. I do think this team can handle it. I think we've had a bull's-eye on us for an entire year. Maybe ever since we lost to Duke last year. There have been times when Wisconsin's shooters would have trouble locating a large lake, let alone a bull's-eye, and Michigan State was there three of those times.