The tough loss to Michigan could serve as motivation for MSU heading into the postseason.

It was in the rivalry game where poor shooting, disconnected play and struggles in transition defined the loss. MSU shot a season-worst 31% from the field, with shot selection and efficiency standing out as major issues.

"I think the biggest takeaway was just our offensive shot quality. Our offensive production and efficiency wasn’t good,” head coach Robyn Fralick said. "Moving forward, we’ve got to find a way to get that better and make sure we’re getting better, consistently getting better, high quality shots."

While the loss may seem like a major setback for the top-25 Spartans, the team maintains an "onto the next" mentality.

Fralick stressed the long grind of the season, noting there’s little time to dwell on losses. The focus is now on moving forward.

"I think sometimes people outside of our world underestimate just how long of a season it is," Fralick said. "To get too high or too low or too one way or another just isn’t the world we live in. You know, you can come off a great win and enjoy it for about 12 hours. You can come off of a really disappointing loss and be frustrated for about 12 hours. Our task is to move forward."

Wisconsin, although at the bottom of the ranks in the conference, is not to be looked over. Throughout their tough schedule, junior forward Serah Williams has been a major bright spot and threat for the Badgers. Williams averages 18.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, one of just two players nationally with those numbers.

Wisconsin’s post play, led by Williams, will be a key focus for MSU.

"(Wisconsin) has a lot of really good post play," Fralick said. "They play a lot through their posts. They surround them with good shooters, so we’ve got to find ways to minimize their inside-out game."

Outside of the Michigan game, MSU has been one of the nation’s top defensive teams. MSU ranks seventh nationally in steals per game (13.1), along with placing 10th in turnovers forced per game (23.48).

If MSU can contain Williams, Wisconsin’s lack of secondary scoring could work in the Spartans’ favor.

Fralick emphasized the need for better offensive cohesion, with MSU relying on bounce-back performances from Julia Ayrault (15.8 PPG) and Theryn Hallock (13.4 PPG). Both have been key sparks for the No. 22 Spartans along with junior forward Grace VanSlooten (14.5 PPG), who was the one bright spot in the loss.

Wisconsin visits East Lansing on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6:30 p.m. The game will stream on B1G+.