CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — One of the benefits of playing a winless team in your conference? Even your mistakes can be overcome.
Even if they are coming in abundance.
That doesn’t mean Tom Izzo and No. 6 Michigan State will be satisfied with their 87-74 victory over Illinois on Monday night. Not with how sloppy the Spartans continue to be.
The Spartans watched a 17-point lead with 3:12 to play crumble to eight with a 9-0 Illinois run in a 2-minute burst, thanks to three of MSU’s season-worst 25 turnovers.
But Jaren Jackson Jr. hit six free throws and Miles Bridges four in the final minute to help the Spartans escape disaster.