The Illini slowed the Spartans' fastbreak, but they also had their own best player brought to a screeching halt early

While MSU’s win over Illinois was huge, Purdue’s win over Oregon was even more impressive, as the Boilermakers took down the Ducks on the road. Without a loss to the scrappy Penn State Nittany Lions, that win would have put them in the No. 1 spot.

The Spartans' win over Illinois bought breathing room against one of the Big Ten's most dangerous title contenders.