The 12th-ranked Spartans got nine critical second-half points from Frankie Fidler, and Tre Holloman hit two free throws with 5.4 seconds to play to ice their 80-78 victory over No. 20 Illinois on Sunday afternoon at Breslin Center.

The most significant matchup of the early Big Ten season also proved to be its best, as No. 12 Michigan State outdueled, outlasted or maybe just survived a slugfest with No. 19 Illinois, hanging on for an 80-78 win Sunday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

A look at Michigan State's basketball game Sunday against Illinois – including matchup analysis, how to watch, the betting line, and a prediction.

The Michigan State Spartans play against the Illinois Fighting Illini in a Big Ten basketball game today. Fans can watch this game for free online.

Kasparas Jakucionis and the Illini intrigue catching points vs. the Spartans today. Our college basketball betting picks favor Illinois' balanced offensive attack.

Whether or not Illinois is up to the task may ride on the answers to the following three questions: Can the Illini slow the Spartans' transition attack? Michigan State is led by s

We’re over halfway through January now and the Big Ten race is fully beginning to take shape. There’s a lot of ball left to go, but I pretty firmly believe that the team to win the title will be one of the current top four or so: Michigan State,