Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo looks at his bench during round two of March Madness in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 23, 2024. The Spartans fell to the No. 1 seeded University of North Carolina and remain winless all-time against the Tar Heels during March Madness.
Following a 90-85 win over Penn State, Michigan State University men's basketball now faces a tough test against Illinois on Sunday at noon in East Lansing.
MSU enters Sunday’s game at 15-2 overall, 6-0 in Big Ten play, and undefeated at home with a 10-game win streak.
Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo, however, said the team isn’t as good as their record states, and said he’s eager for the team to experience a tough test — Illinois.
"We’re not as good as 10 in a row, we’re not as good as undefeated in the league," Izzo said. "It’s a game I’d like to see us pass the test in how we play. It’s important we play well to figure out (our) team."
The Fighting Illini (13-4, 5-2 Big Ten) have a 3-1 road record and recently defeated Indiana 94-69. Izzo called Illinois the best team MSU has faced, citing their size and rebounding.
The side boasts 10 players 6-foot-6 or taller, including 7-foot-1 center Tomislav Ivisic and 6-foot-6 guard Kasparas Jakucionis. Both players previously played professionally overseas for SC Derby and FC Barcelona, respectively.
Illinois has utilized the transfer portal in recent years, making it slightly harder for Izzo and other coaches to scout before game time, the head coach said. Just this past season, Illinois acquired five players from different schools — Tre White, Jake Davis, Ben Humrichous, Carey Booth and Kylan Boswell.
The visiting team possesses five double-digit scorers, led by Jakucionis, who averages 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three-point range.
The Fighting Illini lead the Big Ten in point differential (+20) and rebounds per game (45.5), two categories the Spartans have also excelled in this season.
The Spartans are looking to bounce back after a close win that solidified their third game in a row giving up 40-plus points in the second half, a sobering wake-up call for the need to finish out games strongly.
MSU has flourished in fast-break play this season, currently ranked No. 1 in the country with 19.1 fast-break points per game.
Senior guard Jaden Akins leads MSU with 14.2 points per game on 45% shooting and 89% from the free-throw line, adding 3.9 rebounds per game. Freshman Jase Richardson contributes nearly 10 points and two assists per game in 22 minutes, despite not starting any games.
Junior forward Jaxon Kohler is MSU’s leading rebounder, with 8.1 per game out of the team’s 41 per game, and has added 7.9 points per game in 20 minutes of play. Freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. averages a team-high 6.4 assists per game, one-third of the team’s totals, while also contributing 7.9 points per game on 45% shooting.
Seven Spartans average at least 18 minutes per game, while all 10 regulars play at least 14. MSU’s frequent rotations allow players to rest and adjust to opponents’ lineups.
"We have the depth. We have the camaraderie. We have the ability to play different sizes, different lineups, different matchups," Izzo said. "We just got to keep a pedal to the metal."
MSU hosts Illinois at noon on Sunday at the Breslin Center. The game will air on CBS and Paramount Plus.
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