Michigan State basketball picked up a major win en route to a potential Big Ten title on Sunday afternoon.
Michigan State overcame a poor start to knock off ranked foe Illinois from the Breslin Center. The Spartans won by the final score of 80-78.
Michigan State trailed by as many as 10 in the first half, but a strong finish to the opening frame resulted in a tie game at the break. The second half was back-and-forth most of the way, and it came down to Michigan State holding off Illinois in the final seconds of the game.
With the win, Michigan State remains perfect in Big Ten play with a 7-0 conference mark. The Spartans are now 16-2 overall and have won 11 straight games.
Check out some of the best photos from this big-time matchup between the Spartans and the Fighting Illini:
Jan 19, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal shoots a selfie…Jan 19, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Tigers Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal watches Michigan…Jan 19, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo protests a…Michigan State's Carson Cooper, left scores as Illinois' Tomislav Ivisic defends during the first half on…Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. moves the ball against Illinois during the first half on Sunday,…Michigan State's Tre Holloman scores against Illinois during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025,…Michigan State's Jaxon Kohler moves to the basket against Illinois during the first half on Sunday,…Michigan State's Frankie Fidler scores against Illinois during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025,…Michigan State's Tre Holloman, right, scores as Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis defends during the first half on…Tigers pitcher and 2024 Cy Young Award and Triple Crown winner Tarik Skubal acknowledges the crowd…Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. celebrates after tying up the game against Illinois at halftime on…Illinois' head coach Brad Underwood, right, yells at a referee during the first half in the…Michigan State's Jaxon Kohler scores against Illinois during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025,…Michigan State's Jaden Akins scores and draws an Illinois foul during the first half on Sunday,…Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr., left, scores as Illinois' Ben Humrichous defends during the first half…Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. pushes the ball against Illinois during the first half on Sunday,…Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, right, signals Spartans ball after a scrum for possession during…Michigan State's Szymon Zapala, right, shoots as Illinois' Tomislav Ivisic defends during the first half on…Illinois' Kylan Boswell checks his ripped jersey after a play during the first half in the…Michigan State's Frankie Fidler, left, is blocked by Illinois' Will Riley during the first half on…Michigan State's Jase Richardson shoots against Illinois during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025,…Michigan State's Coen Carr dunks against Illinois during the second half on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025,…Michigan State's Xavier Booker, left, goes for a rebound with Illinois' Morez Johnson Jr., center, and…Michigan State's Jaden Akins, right, scores as Illinois' Morez Johnson Jr. defends during the second half…Michigan State's Coen Carr, left, challenges a shot by Illinois' Will Riley during the second half…Michigan State's Frankie Fidler, left, celebrates with Coen Carr, right, after Carr's 3-pointer against Illinois during…Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo argues a no call with a referee during the second…Michigan State's bench reacts to Jeremy Fears Jr. after he scored and drew an Illinois foul…Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr., center, scores and is fouled while shooting between Illinois' Kylan Boswell,…Michigan State's Jaden Akins, left, and Jaxon Kohler, right, pressure Illinois' Kylan Boswell during the second…Michigan State's bench and crowd erupts after Coen Carr's dunks against Illinois during the second half…Michigan State's Coen Carr dunks against Illinois during the second half on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025,…
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