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

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

No. 12 Michigan State is heading into what will likely be its toughest conference game yet when it hosts No. 19 Illinois on Sunday.

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

The 14th-ranked Spartans (13-2 ... for their third road game of the conference season. NUMBERS GAME:Tom Izzo reveals Michigan State basketball's battle cry that sure is working Tipoff at Welsh ...

EAST LANSING, Mich. No. 12 Michigan State extended its perfect Big Ten record to 5-0 on Sunday when it bested Northwestern, 78-68, on the road. The Spartans hel

Now in his 30th season leading Michigan State, Izzo has gone against the grain plenty of times and sees a kindred spirit in Dan Campbell. The fourth-year coach of the Lions is as aggressive as they come in keeping the offense on the field on fourth down.

Two marquee matchups headlined the week: Michigan State vs. Illinois (Jan. 19) and Purdue vs. Oregon (Jan. 18). The Spartans and Boilermakers’ respective victories firmly establish them as the Big Ten’s top two teams at this stage of the season.

No Illini team has matched a 1946 stretch of four consecutive games — all vital to the Rose Bowl march — each of which appeared to be lost.

The Michigan State Spartans lead the Big Ten with an undefeated conference record, but a few other teams are hot on their trail.

This has been a season unlike any other for Ryan Day emotionally. Less than two months ago, loud and influential media voices were calling for the firing