Entering the game, MSU was tied for the second-longest win streak in Division I men’s basketball, trailing Duke’s 12-game streak and Houston’s 10-game streak. The Spartans (16-2, 7-0 in Big Ten) have now won 11 in a row and remain unbeaten at home.

Izzo was eager for MSU to play Illinois (13-5, 5-3 in Big Ten), a team he said for them to beat, will need to ensure its turnovers and toughness are sufficient.

"Can you withstand the runs?" Izzo said, regarding his team.

The 40-minute contest featured scoring runs, droughts, and strong performances from both teams. In the end, the Spartans, who only led for 94 seconds in the first half and under four minutes total, withstood the Fighting Illini.

Illinois entered Sunday averaging over 45 rebounds per game, leading the Big Ten in rebounding, with MSU in second. Rebounding, specifically offensive rebounds, was one of the most important influences in the game, often determining the flow and scoring runs throughout the game.

MSU was narrowly outrebounded 41-40, with the Spartans grabbing 13 offensive rebounds to Illinois’ 15. Illinois guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, had four offensive rebounds and often finished the play with a layup or kick out to a wing. Freshman forward Will Riley, who rallied Illinois throughout the game, tallied three offensive rebounds out of his six total.

Junior forward Jaxon Kohler finished with six rebounds, three offensive, and eight points on 4-for-9 shooting. Senior center Szymon Zapala and junior center Carson Cooper finished with 10 combined offensive rebounds and 12 total rebounds.

Both MSU and Illinois experienced scoring runs and droughts throughout the game. With 14:22 left in the first half, MSU didn’t even shoot any field goals in over three minutes. Just six-and-a-half minutes later, MSU made no field goals in almost three minutes. At halftime, Illinois only made two of its last 12 field goals, and when the score was 65-59 in favor of MSU, Illinois hadn’t made a field goal in over three minutes, a crucial period for MSU offense. 

"It shows this team can fight. We were down seven, eight (points) at times, and then we fought our way back. We fought the whole game," freshman guard Jase Richardson said postgame.

Sophomore forward Xavier Booker hit MSU’s first three-pointer — just the team’s second attempt — with over seven minutes left in the half. The Spartans finished 3-for-10 from beyond the arc.

"We didn’t take many threes," Izzo said. "It wasn’t because of the way they guarded. We thought we could go inside and we did."

Michigan State’s standout player was junior guard Tre Holloman, who finished with 17 points, on 5-for-9 shooting and seven free throws, a career-high, two rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. Sophomore forward Coen Carr and senior forward Frankie Fidler finished with 11 points each on a combined 7-for-13 shooting, including two three-pointers, and Fidler had three assists.

The Spartans generated eight turnovers, four less than their season average, and forced 10 turnovers on an explosive Illinois offense. MSU also had 34 bench points and 40 points in the paint, an aspect they’ve utilized most games this season. 

Illinois freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis, a highly anticipated player, committed two fouls within the first three minutes and sat out until the final nine minutes of the first half. He eventually got his fourth foul with 16 minutes left in the game and fouled out with less than seven minutes left. Though he only finished with three points and three assists, Riley led the team in the first half with 16 points on six field goals and two free throws.

Riley struggled in the second half, making just one field goal on five attempts, missing two free throws, and committing a turnover in 12 minutes. Starting as a reliable player, Riley soon seemed defeated as Illinois relied on center Tomislav Ivsic and guard Kylan Boswell for offensive surges. Ivsic and Boswell finished with 26 combined points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.

MSU’s free-throw shooting proved decisive. The Spartans went 18-for-27 from the line, slightly below their season average, but made four more free throws than Illinois on the same number of attempts.

"Truthfully, I thought the game was at the free-throw line," Illinois men’s basketball head coach, Brad Underwood, said.

The Spartans got to the line in monumental plays, especially late in the game, to cap off its 11th win in a row — the last time MSU lost was Nov. 26 against Memphis.

"I know we didn’t play great. I know they had their moments. But that’s what happens when two good teams clash. I thought both teams went at it," Izzo said. "That was our best 40 minutes of the year, even though we had some lulls. I thought we stuck to the game plan."

MSU will play Rutgers on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m. in Madison Square Garden. Paramount Plus will air the game.