EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP)- Bryn Forbes scored 17 points to help No. 5 Michigan State rout Illinois 79-54 on Thursday night.
The Spartans (15-1, 2-1 Big Ten) were without Denzel Valentine for a fourth straight game. Valentine participated in pregame warmups and might play at Penn State on Sunday, nearly three weeks after having surgery on his left knee.
The Illini (8-8, 0-3) didn't have leading-scorer Kendrick Nunn, who the team said stayed in Illinois for the birth of his child.
Maverick Morgan had 15 points and Malcolm Hill scored 10 for Illinois.