3 takeaways from Michigan State basketball's massive win over Illinois

Jan 19, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA;  Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) defends Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) defends Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images | Dale Young-Imagn Images
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3. There's still a lot of work to do

Michigan State may have beaten the No. 19 team in the country, scoring 80 points in the process, but there were a lot of mistakes that need to be corrected if the Spartans want this winning streak to continue.

The defense is probably the most important fix currently. The Spartans have struggled mightily in the second half on the defensive end, giving up 40-plus second-half points for a third straight game.

Outside of the defense, 3-point shooting could use work and there were some really sloppy turnovers and I'd consider missed defensive assignments the same as a turnover. They hurt equally.

Michigan State also only won by two with Illinois' best player seeing just nine minutes of action because he fouled out. If he had played his usual 30-35 minutes, we'd likely be talking about a different result with how the Spartans played, but I do applaud the way they came back and held on for an emotional win when they didn't play their best.

Tom Izzo will make sure this team knows that it's very beatable the way its playing right now.