Illinois Rises in Rankings Despite Loss to Michigan State

Andy Katz moves the Illini up to No. 4 in his Power 37 after their overtime defeat against the Spartans.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 12:07pm

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Despite losing to Michigan State in overtime, the Illinois basketball team actually moved up in Andy Katz's Power 37 rankings, rising from No. 5 to No. 4. This surprising jump came after losses by teams ranked ahead of Illinois, including Duke and UConn, while the Illini's close defeat against a top-10 opponent was viewed favorably by the respected analyst.

Why it matters

As Illinois continues its quest for a coveted No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, every ranking position matters. The Illini's rise to No. 4 in Katz's influential Power 37, even after a loss, demonstrates the team's strength and resilience, and keeps them firmly in the conversation for a top seed come March.

The details

Illinois led Michigan State for much of the game on Saturday night, but the Spartans rallied late to force overtime, where they ultimately prevailed 85-82. Despite the defeat, which snapped the Illini's 12-game winning streak, Katz saw enough in Illinois' performance to move them up a spot in his rankings. The analyst noted that losses by Duke and UConn, who were previously ranked ahead of Illinois, opened the door for the Illini's ascent.

  • Illinois lost to Michigan State in overtime on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
  • Katz released his updated Power 37 rankings on Monday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Andy Katz

A respected college basketball analyst who releases the influential Power 37 rankings.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, known for his teams' resilience and ability to win close games.

Jake Davis

An Illinois wing player who hit a pair of crucial free throws to send the game against Michigan State into overtime.

Jeremy Fears

Michigan State's lead guard, who helped the Spartans take control in overtime against Illinois.

Cam Ward

A Michigan State center who celebrated a dunk against Illinois during the game.

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What they’re saying

“Once a college basketball team enters the top five of any rankings, upward movement – even incremental movement – becomes incredibly tough to come by.”

— Andy Katz, College Basketball Analyst

What’s next

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