Michigan State guard Jase Richardson, top left, blocks a shot by Penn State guard Ace Baldwin Jr. (1) as Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

No. 12 Michigan State is heading into what will likely be its toughest conference game yet when it hosts No. 19 Illinois on Sunday.

No. 19 Illinois (13-4, 5-2 Big Ten) will visit Breslin Center for Sunday’s noon tip. The Fighting Illini are the highest-rated team Michigan State has faced since Kansas in the Champions Classic, led by star freshman Kasparas Jakucionis. Both he and Illinois will be a major test for the Spartans.

Sunday's meeting between No. 12 Michigan State and No. 19 Illinois will be a matchup between the two top rebounding teams in the Big Ten.

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

Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is [email protected], and you can follow him on Twitter ( @srrichey ).

Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo are enjoying a stellar season with a 15-2 record, currently on a 10-game winning streak and holding the No. 12 spot in the latest AP Top 25 rankings.

NUMBERS GAME:Tom Izzo reveals Michigan State basketball's battle cry that sure is working Tipoff at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois, is noon (Fox). “I think we got a good team right now ...

Find out the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Michigan State basketball game betting odds, over/under and point spread on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood in a NCAA basketball game at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. LANSING... Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is [email protected], and you can follow him on Twitter ( @srrichey ).

Illinois faces Michigan State. Our college basketball odds series has our Illinois Michigan State prediction, odds and pick for Sunday.