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

Alums, media and others across the college basketball landscape sounded off on the Spartans' win over the Illini

Tom Izzo managed to beat his old friend Brad Underwood on Sunday as Michigan State basketball held on to beat Illinois at home. It was a tough, grind-it-out win over Illinois as the Spartans struggled to hit shots, but they did outperform Illinois at the free throw line and that was ultimately the difference.