No. 12 Michigan State made a statement on Sunday, defending its home court against one of the top teams in the Big Ten, No. 19 Illinois,

Michigan State senior center Carson Cooper led the Spartans in rebounding with eight in their 80-78 win over Illinois on Sunday.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - No. 12 Michigan State men’s basketball battled to the very end with No. 19 Illinois, but it was the Spartans coming out on top with an 80-78 victory. MSU picks up its 11th straight victory and improves to 7-0 in conference play.

Stopping freshman phenom Kasparas Jakučionis is the biggest mission for No. 12 Michigan State basketball against No. 20 Illinois on Sunday.

Tom Izzo called Illinois the best team in the Big Ten. There was evidence to support that claim on Sunday but his Spartans made a case as well in a back-and-forth, top-25 matchup at the Breslin Center.

The Michigan State Spartans (14-3) battle a fellow Big Ten opponent, the Illinois Fighting Illini (13-4), on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at State Farm Center. It starts at 3:00 PM ET on B1G+.Michigan

It’s because Thursday’s performance was the exact way the Spartans want to play. Fast-paced, unrelenting. Overwhelming the opponent with both talent and tempo. And as No. 16 Michigan State (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten) travels to Evanston for a Sunday afternoon game at Northwestern, don’t expect Fears or the Spartans to slow down.

Sunday's Big Ten slate includes the Michigan State Spartans (15-2, 6-0 Big Ten) meeting the Illinois Fighting Illini (13-4, 5-2 Big Ten) at 12:00 PM ET on CBS. Advertisement Article continues ...

As No. 14 Michigan State basketball heads to Northwestern atop the Big Ten, Tom Izzo is unsure of what to expect in the unpredictable conference race.

They have also caught the attention of Tom Izzo, the head coach of their next opponent, the No. 12 Michigan State Spartans. "Right now, from what I saw the last two times I watched Illinois ...

12 Michigan ... Spartans dominated a solid Washington team at home, playing arguably its most complete game of the season. They would then turn around to face Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois ...

What you need to know to watch the Michigan State vs. Penn State basketball game Wednesday night in East Lansing.