The Illini slowed the Spartans' fastbreak, but they also had their own best player brought to a screeching halt early

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.

One of the age old tenets in college basketball is not to count out Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans. As long as Izzo is at the helm, Michigan State will be a dangerous and competitive team. On Sunday,

Tom Izzo sees No. 12 Michigan State basketball getting tougher after beating No. 20 Illinois on Sunday, but also knows so will the Spartans' schedule.

No. 12 Michigan State was able to win its 40-minute battle with No. 19 Illinois on Saturday. Watch Spartans coach Tom Izzo's postgame presser here.