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

It’s still only mid-January but a Michigan State team that entered the season unranked is atop the expanded Big Ten standings. The Spartans are getting it done with depth and will have a shot to make it a dozen straight wins when they play Rutgers (10-8, 3-4) on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Tom Izzo called Michigan State basketball's continued second-half defensive issues "a problem" after an 90-85 win over Penn State on Jan. 15, 2025.

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

As Michigan State basketball enjoys its eight-game win streak heading to Northwestern on Sunday, senior Frankie Fidler's struggles continue.

EAST LANSING — The quarter pole of the 20-game Big Ten season for Michigan State basketball arrives Sunday. And Tom Izzo still is not sure what to make of his team’s hot start — as well as ...

Tom Izzo on Michigan State's 90-85 victory against Penn State.

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

As long as Tom Izzo is the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, they’re not a team that should be overlooked.

It was a ninth straight win and fifth in a row to open Big Ten play as No. 14 Michigan State basketball beat Northwestern but showed some flaws late.

Now in his 30th season leading Michigan State, Izzo has gone against the grain plenty of times and sees a kindred spirit in Dan Campbell. The fourth-year coach of the Lions is as aggressive as they come in keeping the offense on the field on fourth down.