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

Underwood is referring to Kasparas Jakucionis, who fouled out in just nine minutes. ‘Truthfully I thought the game was the free throw line. You can’t go on the road and miss ten free throws.’ ‘…A team that I thought guarded exceptionally well… they took our three-ball away.’

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