Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo thinks Illinois is one of the best teams in the country, and the best in the Big Ten. That statement takes on new meaning, considering the Spartans defeated Illinois on Sunday. “Wow. Just another day in paradise ...

As long as Tom Izzo is the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, they’re not a team that should be overlooked.

Tom Izzo managed to beat his old friend Brad Underwood on Sunday as Michigan State basketball held on to beat Illinois at home. It was a tough, grind-it-out win over Illinois as the Spartans struggled to hit shots, but they did outperform Illinois at the free throw line and that was ultimately the difference.

The Spartans (18-2, 9-0 Big Ten) are riding a 13-game winning streak, their longest in six years, and just became Izzo’s first squad to go unbeaten in both December and January. Even Izzo, whose team entered the season unranked, didn’t see this coming but still wants more from a deep group.

Michigan State could put together its best start to a season ever as Tom Izzo closes in on Bob Knight's Big Ten wins record.

Connor Earegood asks Tom Izzo about rebounding in win over Illinois.

EAST LANSING — Tom Izzo was asked, a little more than two ... midway through the second half and withstood every punch No. 20 Illinois delivered. When things got tight late, Izzo’s veterans ...

Votes are being tallied in the Illinois flag contest, but the current flag has its fans and lawmakers could decide to keep it.

No, not that Ben Johnson. This was the other Ben Johnson, the coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and he was talking about what it was like to stand on the court against Michigan State basketball and watch the Spartans up close.

Which teams are truly proving themselves in the jumbled SEC league standings? Love for Ace Bailey. Who is your coach of the year?

A look at MSU's men's basketball game at USC on Saturday – including matchup analysis, how to watch and stream, the betting line and a prediction.