The University of Illinois men’s basketball team was looking for one last marquee win of the season heading into the Big Ten Tournament.

Michigan State had other ideas.

The Illini (23-7, 11-6 in the Big Ten) fought back from an early deficit to tie the game at 58 with 7:19 remaining in the game, but would only make two more field goals on the way in falling 74-66 at Assembly Hall on Sunday afternoon.

The win pushed Michigan State to 23-5 overall and 13-3 in the Big Ten, clinching the Spartans a share of the Big Ten regular-season title.

“Congrats to Michigan State in at least winning a share of the title,” Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said. “This was a game where we spotted them seven points in the beginning and eight points at the end of the game, and we couldn’t overcome it.”

Indeed, the Spartans rolled to a quick 7-0 lead, and a raucous Illinois crowd was stunned to near silence. The Illini battled back into the game, slowly but surely, in a manner that they hadn’t been able to do in prior contests.

“We had this happen against Minnesota the other night, and you have to adjust to come back and we adjusted,” Weber said. “The problem is you’re playing from behind the whole time.”

The Illini drew strength from a fired-up Assembly Hall crowd that was so loud that, at times, the floor shook, and were able to rally to a tie with a 10-3 run late in the second half.

When Jeff Jordan made a nice defensive play on the Spartans' Korie Lucious, he drove to the hoop and made a nice acrobatic layup, tying the game at 58.

“Right after tip-off, I was really emotional, but I thought we were ready to play,” Illinois guard Chester Frazier said. “Obviously, what I’ll remember about the game is that we lost, but I’ll remember how we fought hard, and we didn’t quit. A lot of times in the game, we could have rolled over and quit; I’m glad we fought hard.”

As the game wound down, the Illini defense did as well, while struggling to find rhythm on offense and get good looks at the hoop.

“Jeff had done a couple of things well and gave us a nice spark, and some of the other guys were struggling,” Weber said. “Calvin [Brock] gave us a nice spark, but had four fouls, and never really could get involved for us because of the foul trouble.”

Illinois’ go-to guys this season were unfortunately nowhere to be found.

“Demetri [McCamey] is the guy that you want to make plays for you, but he made a couple of jump passes and turned it over,” Weber continued. “Trent [Meacham] had back-to-back threes that were pretty good looks that just didn’t go down. All in all, we didn’t make good decisions with the ball down the stretch.”

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was thrilled with the title after the game.

“I’m ecstatic about the championship, and it is so tough to win on the road in this league, to win in a place I have such respect for is really something special,” Izzo said. “It’s not only how they act here, but just the type of people they are. And the crowd—the fans were nuts today—that made it even sweeter.

Michigan State was led by the amazing sophomore Kalen Lucas, who posted a game-high 18 points and added four assists.

“Kalen’s play is what I was happiest with today,” Izzo said. “We’ve been working with him and trying to get him to make plays down the stretch—to make shots for us and sometimes give up shots and make passes.”

“I told Kalen after the game that I’d be voting for him for Big Ten Player of the Year,” Weber added. “I feel like the player of the year has to be the best player on the team that wins, and that’s what Lucas is.”

The game marked the end of the careers of four Illinois seniors: Meacham, Frazier, Brock, and C. J. Jackson. Izzo was able to recognize just how valuable those players were to the Illinois squad, as well as the league.

“I just want to make one point, and it’s that Meacham and Brock and Frazier have been so good for this team and the league,” Izzo said. “I have always enjoyed watching those guys play, and watching them develop into the players they are.”

Perhaps, Izzo even sent off a warning shot in Illinois’ direction with his parting comment.

“I hear Frazier wants to be a coach after graduation,” Izzo said. “If Bruce doesn’t want him, tell him I’ll take him.”

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