Even with all the whistles and without the win, there was plenty for the Illini to learn from the Spartans game

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

#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.

The Michigan State guard stood flat-footed while holding the follow through of a snapped right wrist as a high-arching 3-pointer dropped through the net. Just 24 seconds later, he knocked down another in front of the Minnesota bench. Next time down the floor, Holloman pulled from the other side of the arc with the same result.

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.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State basketball passed its first ... with 5.4 seconds to play to ice their 80-78 victory over No. 20 Illinois on Sunday afternoon at Breslin Center.