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.

No. 12 Michigan State came up with just enough plays down the stretch to hold on for an 80-78 win against No. 19 Illinois and remain the lone unbeaten team in the conference. The Spartans (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) extended their longest winning streak in six years to 11 straight.

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.

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

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Tre Holloman had 17 points, including two free throws in the closing seconds, Coen Carr and Frankie Fidler scored 11 each and No. 12 Michigan State held on to beat No. 19 Illinois 80-78 on Sunday.

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

Michigan State has now won 11 games in a row and move to 7-0 in the Big Ten. MSU will hit the road next Saturday to face Rutgers at Madison Square Garden.

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

Bueckers scored points No. 2,000 and 2,001 on a jumper with 8:05 remaining in the first half. Bueckers reached the mark in her 102nd game, breaking the program record of 108 games by Maya Moore. Bueckers is the 12th UConn player to hit that milestone.

Theryn Hallock scored 15 of her career-best 26 points in the fourth quarter as the No. 22 Michigan State women rolled to an 86-68 win over Illinois on Sunday.