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.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - No. 12 Michigan State men’s basketball battled to the very end with No. 19 Illinois, but it was the Spartans coming out on top with an 80-78 victory. MSU picks up its 11th straight victory and improves to 7-0 in conference play.

The Michigan State guard stood flat-footed while holding the follow through of a snapped right wrist as a high-arching 3-pointer dropped through the net. Just 24 seconds later, he knocked down another in front of the Minnesota bench. Next time down the floor, Holloman pulled from the other side of the arc with the same result.

Even with all the whistles and without the win, there was plenty for the Illini to learn from the Spartans game

The Spartans' three-point percentage of 28.7 ranks worst in the Big Ten and near the bottom of all Division I teams. Defensively, the Illini prefer to run teams off the line, but given MSU’s hesitancy to shoot the deep ball in the first place, it seems Illinois’ style of defense may work in its opponents favor.

No. 12 Michigan State came up with just enough plays down the stretch to hold on for an 80-78 win against No. 19 Illinois and remain the lone unbeaten team in the conference. The Spartans (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) extended their longest winning streak in six years to 11 straight.

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.

No. 19 Illinois is traveling to face No. 12 Michigan State in East Lansing. The Spartans will be favored, but the Illini are the hottest team in the Big Ten with dominating wins over Indiana, Penn State and Oregon.

It's Brad Underwood and Illinois vs Tom Izzo and Michigan State in a college basketball Big Ten game. Here's how to watch and stream.

It’s time to continue our College Basketball odds series with an Illinois-Michigan State prediction and pick. Find out how to watch Illinois-Michigan State. There is plenty of Big Ten college hoops on Sunday’s generally light slate.

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Tre Holloman had 17 points, Coen Carr and Frankie Fidler scored 11 each and No. 12 Michigan State held on to beat No. 19 Illinois 80-78.