No. 12 Michigan State got the test that many were waiting for when it hosted No. 19 Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans passed the

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

Facing its toughest test of the conference season Sunday, the No. 12 Michigan State men’s basketball team (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) won a tightly contested game against No. 19 Illinois, 80-78 at Breslin Center. Taking advantage of foul trouble and making a number of finishes under contact and pressure, the Spartans remain atop the Big Ten standings.

The Spartans' 7-0 start in Big Ten play is their best since the 2018-19 season when they last played in the Final Four.

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

Michigan State's Jase Richardson (11), Frankie Fidler (8), Jaden Akins (3), and Tre Holloman (5) celebrate after defeating Illinois in an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

As long as Tom Izzo is the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, they’re not a team that should be overlooked.

No. 12 Michigan State received an all-around effort from its team in its 80-78 victory over No. 19 Illinois, as 10 Spartans finished with

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.

Columnist Graham Couch gives his initial thoughts on MSU's performance in an 80-78 win over Illinois on Sunday afternoon with three quick takes.

Julia Ayrault also reached double figures scoring for MSU and finished with 12 points. Kendall Bostic, who began her college career at MSU, had a double-double to lead Illinois (13-5, 3-4) and finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.