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.

To be fair to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, there aren't as many Alan Andersons and Shannon Browns across college basketball as there once were. So when Izzo butchered the names of Kasparas Jakucionis,

Tom Izzo managed to beat his old friend Brad Underwood on Sunday as Michigan State basketball held on to beat Illinois at home. It was a tough, grind-it-out win over Illinois as the Spartans struggled to hit shots, but they did outperform Illinois at the free throw line and that was ultimately the difference.

As Michigan State basketball enjoys its eight-game win streak heading to Northwestern on Sunday, senior Frankie Fidler's struggles continue.

No. 12 Michigan State got the test that many were waiting for when it hosted No. 19 Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans passed the

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

It was a ninth straight win and fifth in a row to open Big Ten play as No. 14 Michigan State basketball beat Northwestern but showed some flaws late.

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

As No. 14 Michigan State basketball heads to Northwestern atop the Big Ten, Tom Izzo is unsure of what to expect in the unpredictable conference race.

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

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo is impressed by what he sees from Illinois. The Spartans beat Illinois Sunday.