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No. 12 MSU stunned by 'incredible' Illinois play

February 2, 2005

MSU senior swingman Alan Anderson summed up the Fighting Illini's shooting performance in one word: "Incredible."

As was the case in losses to Duke and Wisconsin, three-point field goal defense was an issue for No. 12 MSU (14-4 overall, 5-2 Big Ten), as the Spartans allowed a season-high 13 3-point field goals in an 81-68 loss to No. 1 Illinois on Tuesday night at Breslin Center.

"They got some threes, but there were some threes we were right on but we had our hands down," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said. "They pass up good shots for great shots.

"There's not many flaws in their game."

From the get-go, the Fighting Illini (22-0, 8-0) had no trouble hitting from long range, as they knocked down seven triples in the first 13 minutes of the game to take an 11-point edge.

Illinois guards Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head shot a combined 11-for-20 from behind the arc.

"If you get Deron Williams shooting the ball like that added to Luther and Dee," Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said, "we're tough to defend."

The Illini were able to knock down shot after shot despite a loud Izzone crowd.

"They have very good mental toughness," Izzo said. "That is led by Deron and Dee, no doubt about it."

The Spartans were able to hold forward James Augustine, the current Big Ten Player of the Week, to only two first-half points, both free throws. But in the second half, the current Big Ten Player of the Week exploded for nine points.

"In the second half we did a much better job of getting it to the big guys," Weber said.

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