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

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.

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

Michigan state jumped four spots following their win over Illinois and now sit at No. 8 overall, leading the Big Ten conference. Purdue is the closest Big Ten team, sitting at No. 11. Oregon fell to No. 15 following their loss to Purdue.

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.

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

After the game, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, who is a great friend of Tom Izzo’s, spoke to the media about the game. As always, he was complimentary of Izzo and his squad, but also frustrated about the fouls called on his star point guard Kasparas Jakucionis.

Graham and Chris discuss MSU's win over Illinois, Big Ten title prospects and Rutgers, preview Spartan hockey and MSU football's transfer portal haul.

As the Michigan State women’s basketball team approaches the halfway point of the Big Ten schedule, it is in the thick of the conference race. The Spartans, who are just two losses behind USC and UCLA in the standings,