Perhaps that’s because with six games to play, the Spartans are holding opponents to 37.4 percent shooting, which would be the best defensive field goal percentage in the Izzo era if it stands at the end of the season.

“Well, I hope we can maintain this,” Izzo said Monday. “I think we’d be in pretty good shape if we can.”

MSU put its defense on display Saturday, holding No. 3 Ohio State to season lows in shooting (26.4 percent) and points (48) in an upset. The team frustrated Buckeye big man Jared Sullinger into 10 turnovers and held wing William Buford to 2-for-12 shooting.

Boasting a young and inexperienced team, Izzo said the Spartans primarily used game plans and scouting reports to hide “non-defenders” early in the season. It was effective for the most part, but as evidenced by Saturday’s game, it’s no longer the only thing keeping MSU’s defense on pace for record-setting numbers.

“Now that you get into conference, where everybody can do something, you can’t cheat anymore,” Izzo said. “And that’s where (senior guard) Brandon Wood, (freshman guard) Branden Dawson and (senior guard) Austin Thornton have started to improve a lot.”

Izzo has been particularly hard on Wood and Dawson at times this season. And despite both players having a great deal of offensive talent, they often rode the bench because of struggles on defense. However, as Buford learned Saturday, when Wood and Dawson lock down on defense, the Spartans reach another level.

“I think we are (the difference),” Wood said of him and Dawson. “Usually the teams we play, the best players are at the two and three spots. I think that is a big part, just for us to bring that energy and take that as a challenge to not let our man score and play as much help-side defense as we can.”

During a disappointing season that ended in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament last year, MSU allowed opponents to shoot 42.3 percent from the field. Knowing that was a major part of the problem last season, senior forward Draymond Green said everyone agreed defense is what would get the program back on track.

Despite being happy with the way he and his teammates have risen up to the challenge this season, Green also said it is “kind of surprising” this year’s team ranks among the best in school history when it comes to defense.

But looking at what the great defensive teams of the past have accomplished, Green said it’s not surprising MSU is in position to win a conference championship and maybe more.

“Those guys have championship banners and Final Four banners in here, (so) to have that number, that means a lot,” Green said. “But we got to keep it going. We still have six more games left in this regular season.”