Tom Izzo sees No. 12 Michigan State basketball getting tougher after beating No. 20 Illinois on Sunday, but also knows so will the Spartans' schedule.

Michigan State overcame a poor start to knock off ranked foe Illinois from the Breslin Center. The Spartans won by the final score of 80-78.

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

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo had high praise for the Spartans' next opponent, the Illinois Fighting Illini.

No. 12 Michigan State is heading into what will likely be its toughest conference game yet when it hosts No. 19 Illinois on Sunday.

Tom Izzo said No. 12 Michigan State basketball must defend better Sunday against No. 20 Illinois on Sunday despite the Spartans' offensive upturn.

Izzo is taking the threat of the Illini seriously as he prepares his Spartans for Sunday's matchup in East Lansing

Ben Johnson’s basketball team took a big step in their last game, beating then-No. 20 Michigan in overtime, 84-81, last Wednesday at Williams Arena. It was the Gophers’ first Big Ten win and pulled them to .500 overall. The goal now is to keep moving forward.

The No. 12 Michigan State Spartans (16-2, 7-0) made a big statement on Sunday afternoon as they took down the No. 19 Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5, 5-3) at the

The Spartans (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) climbed four spots to No. 8 in the new AP Top 25 released Monday. They beat Penn State 90-85 on Wednesday and edged then-No. 19 Illinois 80-78 on Sunday to extend their lonest winning streak in six years to 11 straight.

Michigan State University men’s basketball is ranked inside the AP Poll Top 10 for the first time in three seasons.