The Spartans picked up a huge win over fifth-ranked Illinois on Saturday night.
over No. 5 Illinois at the Breslin Center. It's the team's biggest resume win of the year, also snapping the Fighting Illini's 12-game win streak and Michigan State's two-game losing streak. Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo looks on before the game against Illinois on Saturday, Feb.
7, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images MSU's Tom Izzo knows what this one meant for his team that hadn't put together a complete performance in a bit. This one wasn't perfect, but it was enough to take down a team that Izzo think is better than his own.Feb 7, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo spits at Michigan State Spartans guard Denham Wojcik during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. | Dale Young-Imagn ImagesThere were two guys that Izzo really thought took a step in the right direction during this game. He singled out both of his true freshman: Jordan Scott and Cam Ward. Scott got the toughest defensive assignment he might get this offseason. He was assigned on Illinois star Keaton Wagler, who very well might end up becoming the Big Ten Player of the Year. Wagler was stifled nearly all night, shooting just 2-for-16 from the field, going 0-for-8 when he was inside the arc. Ward also came up clutch a couple of times. He had a big 2-for-2 trip at the free-throw line in the second half, but he came up big during one sequence in overtime. With less than two minutes remaining in overtime, Michigan State had a two-point lead. Ward finished off a crucial defensive stop with a nice rebound. Then, on the other end, he cleaned up the offensive glass for a successful put-back that put MSU up five. "Cam Ward, he brought energy, he's a phenomenal defender --- that's why we had him in there at the end," Izzo said. "Not a great free-throw shooter, and when he knocked those two down... I think if anybody needed a game like this, it was him, because he's a good player, and he's going to be a really good player, and he's a good kid. Michigan State's Cam Ward, center, celebrates after a dunk against Illinois during the first half on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "I was happy. Maybe as happy for Cam as anybody, because it has been a struggle for him coming back off the injury."Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo looks on before the game against Illinois on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images, and be sure to share your thoughts on MSU win over Illinois when you join our community group, Go Green Go White,Never again miss one major story related to your beloved Spartans when you sign up for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes straight to your email with the latest news.A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
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