Tom Izzo managed to beat his old friend Brad Underwood on Sunday as Michigan State basketball held on to beat Illinois at home. It was a tough, grind-it-out win over Illinois as the Spartans struggled to hit shots, but they did outperform Illinois at the free throw line and that was ultimately the difference.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo had high praise for the Spartans' next opponent, the Illinois Fighting Illini.

The Spartans' win over Illinois bought breathing room against one of the Big Ten's most dangerous title contenders.

Izzo is taking the threat of the Illini seriously as he prepares his Spartans for Sunday's matchup in East Lansing

Connor Earegood asks Tom Izzo about rebounding in win over Illinois.

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

Following a 90-85 win over Penn State, Michigan State University men's basketball now faces a tough test against Illinois on Sunday at noon in East Lansing. MSU enters Sunday’s game at 15-2 overall, 6-0 in Big Ten play, and undefeated at home with a 10-game win streak.

Michigan State guard Jase Richardson, top left, blocks a shot by Penn State guard Ace Baldwin Jr. (1) as Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

The No. 12 Michigan State Spartans (16-2, 7-0) made a big statement on Sunday afternoon as they took down the No. 19 Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5, 5-3) at the

Michigan State men's basketball got contributions all over the board in its 80-78 victory over Illinois on Sunday. One of them was from s

College basketball is providing just about everything right now. There are elite rivalry wars almost every night. There were buzzer-beaters galore this past week. The product is fabulous for awhile until everyone starts spinning their finger in the air and we head to the monitor for the fourth time in 3.