Back to the Michigan State Spartans Newsfeed

Spartans Upset No. 5 Illini, 81-72, Reigniting NCAA Tournament Hopes

The Michigan State men’s basketball team needed this one. They needed a marquee win. And they got it against No. 5 Illinois in East Lansing tonight.

Aaron Henry led the way for the Spartans with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and two steals and Joshua Langford poured in 15 points while grabbing 16 (SIXTEEN!) rebounds.

Even though the Spartans led nearly the entire second half by double digits, it didn’t feel like it was actually over until the final couple minutes, after MSU withstood everything Illinois threw at them.

Right out of the gate, MSU’s tradition of slow starts on the offensive end continued tonight.