Overview
- Michigan State won 85-82 in overtime to move to 20-4 (10-3 Big Ten) as Illinois fell to 20-4 (11-2) and relinquished the conference lead.
- Jeremy Fears Jr. delivered 26 points and 15 assists, scoring 11 in overtime and converting a go-ahead three-point play with 1:47 left.
- Kur Teng hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.5 seconds in regulation before Illinois’ Jake Davis forced overtime by sinking two free throws with one second remaining.
- The Spartans dominated transition 22-0 in fast-break points and outrebounded Illinois 48-38, with Jaxon Kohler posting 11 points and 16 boards.
- Officials declined Illinois coach Brad Underwood’s request to call a late-first-half trip on Fears, as Michigan State pressed on without injured guard Divine Ugochukwu for rotational depth.