GAME NOTES: The Michigan State Spartans seek their fifth win in six games, as they visit Pinnacle Bank Arena for a Big Ten Conference matchup with the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday afternoon.

The Spartans improved to 4-2 in the league standings on Wednesday with a 66-60 victory over Penn State. Coach Tom Izzo's squad recorded assists on 16 of its 23 makes from the floor and outrebounded the Nittany Lions, 39-26, to clinch its ninth win in 11 games at the Breslin Center. Michigan State is 2-2 in true road games this season. Both of the Spartans' losses in conference play came courtesy of Maryland, including a two-point, double-overtime setback at home on Dec. 30.

MSU is ranked 21st nationally in 3-point efficiency (.398) and third among Division I programs in assists (17.9). The Spartans' success in 2014-15 is also due to their tremendous effort at the defensive end, as they rank second in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (.393) and fifth in scoring defense (65.2 ppg). Branden Dawson has anchored the defense. He is the only player to rank in the top-15 in the Big Ten in blocked shots, steals and defensive rebounds in league play. Dawson recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds versus PSU. Gavin Schilling also registered a double- double with 11 points and 10 boards. Denzel Valentine paces MSU on the campaign with 13.8 points and 4.2 assists per outing, but the junior guard has hit on only 1-of-8 attempts from behind the 3-point line in his last two games. Senior point guard Travis Trice has also been solid with 13.6 ppg, 5.6 apg and 3.4 rpg.

After winning four out of five meetings as Big Ten foes, MSU leads the all- time series with Nebraska, 12-7. However, the Cornhuskers own a 5-4 advantage in games played in Lincoln.

Nebraska is aiming for its fourth straight win at home after extending the streak to three with a 52-49 decision over Minnesota on Tuesday. The Cornhuskers managed to hold off the Golden Gophers despite sinking only 4- of-19 attempts from 3-point range and committing 21 personal fouls. Shavon Shields scored 13 of his 15 points after halftime and Nebraska made 11 of its last 12 free-throw attempts after starting 3-of-9 at the stripe. The Huskers lead the conference in field goal percentage defense (.378) and have allowed only 47 ppg to the last three visitors to Pinnacle Bank Arena. The 49 points scored by Minnesota on Jan. 20, was not only its lowest total of the season, but 30 points under the season scoring average of 78.9 ppg it brought into the contest.

Nebraska's top-notch defense is complemented nicely by its two-pronged offensive attack. Shields and Terran Petteway have been a prolific scoring duo during the first half of the season, combining for 35.3 ppg and ranking among the Big Ten's top seven scorers. Petteway is ranked third in the league in scoring at 18.9 ppg and he has drained 42 shots from 3-point range. He finished the win over Minnesota with 11 points and five rebounds, while Walter Pitchford corralled 11 boards.

Michigan State is a better team on paper than Nebraska, but the Huskers' home court advantage is one of the best in college basketball. The Cornhuskers' intense play at the defensive end helps keep them close to superior opponents, and their dynamic duo is great at closing games.