Michigan State basketball continues to march toward Tom Izzo's 27th straight NCAA tournament bid. Here's where Spartans stand in bracket projections.

After going down early, Michigan State basketball survived a nail-biter vs. Illinois to stay undefeated and alone at the top if the Big Ten.

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

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

No. 12 Michigan State was triumphant in its top-20 matchup with No. 19 Illinois on Sunday, defeating the Fighting Illini, 80-78. Our Aidan Champion recaps the contest on this episode of the Michigan State Insider Podcast.

Underwood is referring to Kasparas Jakucionis, who fouled out in just nine minutes. ‘Truthfully I thought the game was the free throw line. You can’t go on the road and miss ten free throws.’ ‘…A team that I thought guarded exceptionally well… they took our three-ball away.’

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 football has a pair of new assistants on staff. Coach Jonathan Smith hired safeties coach James Adams and quarterbacks coach Jon Boyer earlier this month to round out his staff and both inked two-year deals in contracts provided to MLive via a Freedom of Information Act request.

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.

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Illini star Kasparas Jakucionis was held to season lows in points (three) and minutes (nine) because of foul trouble.