Tom Izzo felt his team needed a little time off. Following two Big Ten victories, No. 10 Michigan State has had more freedom to concentrate on practices and finals.
The Spartans will be rested when they play at Florida on Saturday afternoon. Their last game was Monday, a 90-68 blowout of No. 18 Iowa.
The Spartans then will have a week off after facing the Gators before returning to action against Green Bay on Dec. 16.
"It'll be important," the longtime coach told the Detroit Free Press. "We get by this game on Saturday, and then we get some time.