Alums, media and others across the college basketball landscape sounded off on the Spartans' win over the Illini

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

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.’

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.

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.

Tre Holloman had 17 points, including two free throws in the closing seconds, Coen Carr and Frankie Fidler scored 11 each and No. 12 Michigan State held on to beat No. 19 Illinois 80-78 on Sunday. The Spartans (16-2,

MSU, which is ranked No. 12 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, is coming off a 90-85 victory over Penn State on Jan. 15 in East Lansing. Illinois (13-4, 5-2 Big Ten) is ranked No. 20 in the Coaches Poll and is coming off a 94-69 win over Indiana in its most recent game on Jan. 11.