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

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.

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 men's basketball has entered the thick of the 2024-25 season, with 14 games remaining on the schedule. This upcoming slate is crucial for the Sp

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.

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.

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

The most significant matchup of the early Big Ten season also proved to be its best, as No. 12 Michigan State outdueled, outlasted or maybe just survived a slugfest with No. 19 Illinois, hanging on for an 80-78 win Sunday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

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The 12th-ranked Spartans got nine critical second-half points from Frankie Fidler, and Tre Holloman hit two free throws with 5.4 seconds to play to ice their 80-78 victory over No. 20 Illinois on Sunday afternoon at Breslin Center.

The Michigan State Spartans had their fun beating former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara twice in three years, but will not see him again after ma