Despite strong performances from Kendall Bostic and the bench, Illinois struggled against Michigan State’s press in a tough 80-78 loss in East Lansing.

The Spartans' win over Illinois bought breathing room against one of the Big Ten's most dangerous title contenders.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - No. 12 Michigan State men’s basketball battled to the very end with No. 19 Illinois, but it was the Spartans coming out on top with an 80-78 victory. MSU picks up its 11th straight victory and improves to 7-0 in conference play.

No. 12 Michigan State plays host to No. 19 Illinois on CBS in a Sunday matchup of two of the top contenders to win the Big Ten. Michigan State entered the weekend as the lone team

MSU, which is ranked No. 12 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, is coming off a 90-85 victory over Penn State on Jan. 15 in East Lansing. Illinois (13-4, 5-2 Big Ten) is ranked No. 20 in the Coaches Poll and is coming off a 94-69 win over Indiana in its most recent game on Jan. 11.

The Spartans' 7-0 start in Big Ten play is their best since the 2018-19 season when they last played in the Final Four.

Tre Holloman scored 17 points to lead No. 12 Michigan State to an 80-78 win over No. 19 Illinois on Sunday in East Lansing, Mich. Frankie Fidler and Coen Carr

It's Brad Underwood and Illinois vs Tom Izzo and Michigan State in a college basketball Big Ten game. Here's how to watch and stream.

No. 12 Michigan State came up with just enough plays down the stretch to hold on for an 80-78 win against No. 19 Illinois and remain the lone unbeaten team in the conference. The Spartans (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) extended their longest winning streak in six years to 11 straight.

#19 Illinois men's will travel to East Lansing to take on #12 Michigan State, while the women will be home against #22 Michigan State. For the men the last time they face the Spartans they lost 88-80 in East Lansing and Brad Underwood is currently 5-6 against Michigan State and Tom Izzo.

Tre Holloman had 17 points, Coen Carr and Frankie Fidler scored 11 each and No. 12 Michigan State held on to beat No. 19 Illinois 80-78.

Illinois faces Michigan State. Our college basketball odds series has our Illinois Michigan State prediction, odds and pick for Sunday.