The Illini guard had an off night on Saturday in a loss in East Lansing. Here's why it's actually encouraging for Illinois.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jeremy Fears played one of his best games to help No. 10 Michigan State earn a much-needed win after his coach thought about benching him. Fears started the game and finished with 26 points — 11 in OT — and 15 assists in 42 minutes,

The No. 10 Spartans brought their first losing streak of the season into Saturday's game against the No. 5 Fighting Illini.

Here's what Illinois head coach Brad Underwood had to say about Michigan State and Jeremy Fears after his team's loss to the Spartans

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood saw something positive, despite his team's heartbreaking loss to Michigan State.

The No. 10 Michigan State men’s basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak with an 85-82 overtime win against fifth-ranked Illinois. This was Illinois’s first loss since December 13th. MSU freshman Jordan Scott was tasked with guarding star Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler.

Michigan State Spartans’ Cam Ward flew down the court and finished with a powerful slam dunk against the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Michigan State Spartans’ Jeremy Fears connected with Coen Carr for an explosive alley-oop finish against the Illinois Fighting Illini.