Tom Izzo and No. 8 Michigan State basketball has two demons to try and conquer Saturday — a talented Rutgers squad and the Madison Square Garden aura.

Tom Izzo's impact is felt beyond the basketball court and throughout Michigan State's athletic department and community.

Tom Izzo sees No. 12 Michigan State basketball getting tougher after beating No. 20 Illinois on Sunday, but also knows so will the Spartans' schedule.

An incensed Tom Izzo called Michigan State basketball's second-half defensive issues "a problem" after surviving Penn State for a 10th straight win

I was really disappointed in that whole area, because this is Rebounding U, right?” Izzo said Sunday. “I mean, Linebacker U at Penn State, this is Rebounding U, and we didn't do a very good job.” All season,

One might think Tom Izzo would offer glowing praise of his players amid No. 8 Michigan State's 12-game winning streak. But Izzo spotted some bad habits in the Spartans' most recent performance, an 81-74 victory at Rutgers on Saturday.

Tom Izzo said No. 12 Michigan State basketball must defend better Sunday against No. 20 Illinois on Sunday despite the Spartans' offensive upturn.

No. 12 Michigan State got the test that many were waiting for when it hosted No. 19 Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans passed the

Izzo is taking the threat of the Illini seriously as he prepares his Spartans for Sunday's matchup in East Lansing

Illinois, which Izzo called the best team in the Big Ten, had the talent around Jakucionis to keep the outcome at the Breslin Center in doubt until the final second. Rutgers (10-9, 3-5) missed the NCAA Tournament each of the last two years but opened the season ranked in the top 25 behind a pair of five-star additions.

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 – Tom Izzo’s first road trip of the week didn’t take him to New York or Los Angles. It brought him across the street from Breslin Center. The longest tenured coach at Michigan ...