Michigan State Upsets No. 5 Illinois in OT Thriller

Fears Jr. Shines with 26 Points and 15 Assists for the Spartans

Feb. 8, 2026 at 12:23pm

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In a nail-biting overtime battle, the 10th-ranked Michigan State Spartans defeated the 5th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini 85-82 on Saturday night. The win snapped a two-game skid for the Spartans and kept them in contention for the Big Ten conference title.

Why it matters

This victory over a top-5 opponent is a significant boost for Michigan State's postseason hopes, as they look to solidify their position near the top of the Big Ten standings. The Spartans' ability to rally from behind and prevail in overtime showcases their resilience and ability to win close games against elite competition.

The details

The game went to overtime after Illinois' Jake Davis sank two free throws with one second remaining to tie the score. In the extra period, Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. took over, scoring 8 of his game-high 26 points to lead the Spartans to the win. Fears also dished out 15 assists, powering the Michigan State offense throughout the night.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • Michigan State and Illinois were tied 39-39 at halftime.
  • With 2:42 left in regulation, Fears' free throws cut Illinois' lead to one point.
  • Kur Teng hit a clutch 3-pointer with 8.6 seconds left to put MSU up by two.
  • Jake Davis' two free throws with one second left sent the game to overtime.

The players

Jeremy Fears Jr.

The Michigan State point guard led the Spartans with 26 points and 15 assists in the overtime victory.

Jaxon Kohler

The Spartans' forward contributed 8 points and 5 rebounds in the first half.

Jake Davis

The Illinois guard sank two free throws with one second left in regulation to force overtime.

Tomislav Ivisic

The Illinois forward hit a 3-pointer in overtime to briefly give the Fighting Illini the lead.

Cam Ward

The Michigan State guard hit a key putback in overtime to extend the Spartans' lead.

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What’s next

The victory sets up a pivotal road test for Michigan State at Wisconsin, which could determine their seeding in the Big Ten tournament.

The takeaway

This thrilling overtime win against a top-5 opponent reinforces Michigan State's position as a contender in the Big Ten race and demonstrates the Spartans' ability to win close games against elite competition.