Michigan State used grit, some impressive rebounding and a late game surge to beat Illinois 88-80. The game was a lot closer than that score indicates, with Illinois looking like the better team for much of the game. MSU came up with stops down the stretch, but often looked overmatched by Illinois versatile big man Coleman Hawkins and let Terrence Shannon Jr score 28 points.
Despite this, the Spartans used veteran savvy and effort to close the game on a 24-8 run over the final six and a half minutes. That effort led by AJ Hoggard and Malik Hall saved the game, and potentially the Spartans' NCAA tournament hopes.