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.

To be fair to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, there aren't as many Alan Andersons and Shannon Browns across college basketball as there once were. So when Izzo butchered the names of Kasparas Jakucionis,

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.

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.

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 was able to defeat No. 19 Illinois on Sunday, despite its two leading scorers on the season -- senior guard Jaden A

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.

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo is impressed by what he sees from Illinois. The Spartans beat Illinois Sunday.

Tre Holloman scored 17 points to lead No. 12 Michigan State to an 80-78 win over No. 19 Illinois on Sunday in East Lansing, Mich. Frankie Fidler and Coen Carr

BOTTOM LINE: No. 21 Michigan State hosts Penn State after Theryn Hallock scored 26 points in Michigan State's 86-68 win against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Spartans have gone 9-0 at home. Michigan State is third in the Big Ten scoring 82.6 points while shooting 45.0% from the field.

Michigan State continues to establish its dominance in the Big Ten after a thrilling 80-78 victory over Illinois in a game that kept fans on the edge of their s