Michigan State basketball's win over Illinois on Saturday night in Champaign was the most impressive of the season for Tom Izzo and Co.
The Spartans were down 16 in the first half and battled all the way back to take a lead in the second half and battle back and forth with the Illini until the final six minutes. Illinois held a 67-66 lead with about six minutes left following a goaltending call on Michigan State and when the teams went into the next timeout, that call was overturned and Michigan State led 66-65.
From that point on, Michigan State out-scored Illinois 13-0 and won the game 79-65 in Champaign to improve to 20-5 on the season and 11-3 in conference play.
Michigan State didn't just hold Illinois without a point in the last 8:29 of play, the Spartans actually held the Illini to -2 points in the final eight-plus minutes. Have you ever heard that before?
It’s funny to me that in the last 6:45 of MSU vs Illinois the Illini were up 67-66 and lost 79-65…. Yes they ended the last 6:45 of the game WITH NEGATIVE 2 POINTS. pic.twitter.com/jkVgoPKvUp
— Jacob Maurer (@JacobMaurer55) February 16, 2025
While the image above said the last 6:45 with negative-2 points, it was actually the last 8:29 after Illinois scored a basket to take a 65-64 lead. From that point on, they didn't score a single basket as Michigan State's defense was stifling and not allowing any easy baskets.
This was one of the most impressive finishes to a game that I can remember for Michigan State. Not only did it overcome a hostile road environment but it did so, bounced back from down 16, dominated the second half, and closed the game strong like Mariano Rivera.
How many teams in history have forced an opponent to lose points in the final eight minutes of a game?