Michigan St tops No. 5 Illinois 81-72, bolsters NCAA chances
Illinois guard Andre Curbelo (5) passes to forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois guard Andre Curbelo (5) passes to forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 08:01 PM EST
Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) drives as Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard, center, and forward Joey Hauser defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) drives as Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard, center, and forward Joey Hauser defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 08:03 PM EST
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks with guard Rocket Watts (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks with guard Rocket Watts (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 09:29 PM EST
Referees separate Illinois guard Trent Frazier, center, and Michigan State guard Joshua Langford during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Referees separate Illinois guard Trent Frazier, center, and Michigan State guard Joshua Langford during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 09:29 PM EST
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) react after a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) react after a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 09:26 PM EST
Michigan State forward Aaron Henry (0) looks to shoot as Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Michigan State forward Aaron Henry (0) looks to shoot as Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 08:38 PM EST
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood talks to his team during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood talks to his team during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 09:30 PM EST
Michigan State guard Joshua Langford blocks an attempt by Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Michigan State guard Joshua Langford blocks an attempt by Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 08:38 PM EST
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 08:01 PM EST
Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) shoots over the defense of Michigan State guard Rocket Watts (2) and forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) shoots over the defense of Michigan State guard Rocket Watts (2) and forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 08:00 PM EST
Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) is defended by Michigan State forward Julius Marble II (34) and guard Joshua Langford (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) is defended by Michigan State forward Julius Marble II (34) and guard Joshua Langford (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 07:15 PM EST
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard, left, and Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu fight for control of the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard, left, and Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu fight for control of the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 08:02 PM EST
Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) makes a layup as Michigan State forward Julius Marble II (34) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) makes a layup as Michigan State forward Julius Marble II (34) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 07:14 PM EST
Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) makes a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) makes a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Feb. 23, 2021 07:15 PM EST