The Spartans (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) outlasted the Fighting Illini (13-5, 5-4) in an 80-78 thriller that showcased just how deep and fruitful MSU’s rotation can be against the relentless opposition from teams like Illinois. 

"Strength in numbers" is one of the Spartans' team slogans this season.

"I thought every guy had his moment where they brought something to the table," Izzo said postgame. "And that’s what strength and numbers do."

MSU has taken this motto and turned it into its identity. Against Illinois, contributions came from up and down the Spartans' rotation in varying intervals. All 10 rotation players scored at least four points and impacted the win. 

Junior guard Tre Holloman played like a leader, bouncing back from mistakes and making critical plays en route to 17 points. Forwards Frankie Fidler and Coen Carr reached double figures with 11 apiece, including several key buckets in the second half. Jaden Akins changed the game on defense and made a big last-minute shot.

MSU big men Szymon Zapala, Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler overcame a first-half deficit in the paint to regain control of the glass. Sophomore forward Xavier Booker hit a momentous three-pointer as MSU surged to tie the game before halftime, while redshirt freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. attacked confidently in his first major test as MSU’s point guard.

"Everybody did their thing in moments," Izzo said. "There was a couple plays we actually ran for everybody that we thought would help us get going. Frankie once, Jase once made a big play on a curl move. We went into (Cooper), made that nice hook shot. We went into (Kohler) and made a couple nice plays. Tre (Holloman) was really good, and (Fears) actually ran our team really well."

When MSU won its 10th straight game last Wednesday against Penn State, Izzo was frustrated by his team’s ineptitude in finishing games with significant leads. It was the Spartans’ third straight game giving up at least 40 points in the second half, and their 30-year head coach was not pleased.

Against Illinois, which Izzo called the best team in the Big Ten, MSU stumbled early but stayed composed in the spotlight.

"I thought every guy I talked to and spent time with … it’s nice to see people respond," Izzo said. "It’s nice to see them have to get their character challenged a little bit."

MSU is now three games ahead of Illinois in the Big Ten standings and the last undefeated team in conference play. MSU continues its grind to March without a star-type player, knowing it has the roster depth to challenge the conference’s best and, therefore, the tools to win the Big Ten.

"Our guys, I think they needed a moment," Izzo said. "With five minutes left to go in the huddle, there was every single guy, from my walk-ons to our managers, they were all into it. In the locker room, it was special moments."

The Spartans have five days off before playing Rutgers (10-8, 3-4) at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m. CBS will air the game. 

MSU and Illinois will play again on Feb. 18 in Champaign.