This recent three-game skid (yes, I’m counting Rutgers) has yielded some really disappointing results both in the win/loss column and on the floor. Michigan State has looked like a shell of itself, and Tom Izzo has been disappointed with what he’s seen.
The team that he led to a school record-tying 19-2 start has fallen on some hard times offensively, falling behind big early against Rutgers, Michigan, and Minnesota. They trailed by double figures in the first half of each of those games, and it’s led to a 1-2 record and fall to No. 10 in the rankings with another drop coming if the Spartans can’t beat Illinois.
Saturday’s Illinois battle will be one of the toughest games of the season, especially when you consider what Izzo said about the Illini.
The Hall of Famer isn’t taking Brad Underwood and the Illini lightly — and why would he? The Illini are the No. 5 team in the country and they’ve beaten two straight top-10 opponents on the road, winning at Purdue and at Nebraska over the past couple of weeks. And this is without Kylan Boswell.
Izzo’s description of Illinois on Friday during his post-practice meeting with the media should absolutely terrify Michigan State fans.
Tom Izzo on Illinois:
— Jim Comparoni (@JimComparoni) February 6, 2026
'That's the best three-point shooting team I've seen that it's come in here. The best size team that I've seen come in here in years and years and years, maybe ever. So we have our work cut out for us." pic.twitter.com/d9DJdcBAIc
Izzo called Illinois “the best 3-point shooting team” that he’s seen come to the Breslin Center, presumably in a while. I doubt it’s the best 3-point shooting team that he’s ever seen at home.
Not only did he say they’re elite at shooting threes, but they have the best size of any team that’s come to the Breslin Center in “years and years and years” which is terrifying. He’s building these Illini up like they’re the Space Jam Monstars.
Tom Izzo will need a coaching masterclass vs. Illinois
Illinois has been one of the best teams in the country lately, and beating the Illini has been something that no one has been able to do since Nebraska “upset” them back in December at home.
Since then, the Illini have been on a tear.
Not only have they beaten two top-10 road teams in as many weeks, but they have one of the best offenses in the country. They shoot about 31 threes per game and make around 36 percent of their attempts while averaging almost 85 points. They also have a true freshman superstar in Keaton Wagler. The Spartans have their work cut out for them.
Izzo will need a coaching masterclass on Saturday night in order to stop the skid and beat a legit Final Four caliber Illinois team.