SPARTANS

Michigan State 81, Illinois 61

Miles Bridges clutches the Big Ten championship trophy with a grin after Michigan State beat Illinois, 81-61, to clinch at least a share of the title Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, at Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Miles Bridges clutches the Big Ten championship trophy with a grin after Michigan State beat Illinois, 81-61, to clinch at least a share of the title Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, at Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Miles Bridges makes a 3-pointer in what might've been his last game at Breslin.
Miles Bridges makes a 3-pointer in what might've been his last game at Breslin.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Izzone students clown around with megaphones.
Izzone students clown around with megaphones.
The Detroit News
Joshua Langford shoots a 3 over the top of the Illini defense.
Joshua Langford shoots a 3 over the top of the Illini defense.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Miles Bridges gets fouled by an Illini defender on his way to a basket.
Miles Bridges gets fouled by an Illini defender on his way to a basket.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
LouRawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr passes to a teammate under the Spartan basket.
LouRawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr passes to a teammate under the Spartan basket.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Miles Bridges tangles with Illinois' Greg Eboigbodin under the basket.
Miles Bridges tangles with Illinois' Greg Eboigbodin under the basket.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Jaren Jackson Jr dunks the ball from the paint.
Jaren Jackson Jr dunks the ball from the paint.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Joshua Langford puts in a shot off the glass.
Joshua Langford puts in a shot off the glass.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Senior Gavin Schilling slams the ball through the hoop for a big second-half dunk.
Senior Gavin Schilling slams the ball through the hoop for a big second-half dunk.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Joshua Langford shoots a 3-pointer past Trent Frazier in the second half.
Joshua Langford shoots a 3-pointer past Trent Frazier in the second half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Tom Izzo barks instructions during the victory.
Tom Izzo barks instructions during the victory.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Gavin Schilling beats Illinois' Leron Black to a rebound on the defensive end.
Gavin Schilling beats Illinois' Leron Black to a rebound on the defensive end.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Miles Bridges gets way up and over the top of the Illini defense in the second half.
Miles Bridges gets way up and over the top of the Illini defense in the second half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Kenny Goins enjoyed making this big dunk in the second half.
Kenny Goins enjoyed making this big dunk in the second half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Xavier Tillman makes a big dunk in the second half in front of Leron Black.
Xavier Tillman makes a big dunk in the second half in front of Leron Black.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Cassius Winston incites the crowd in the second half.
Cassius Winston incites the crowd in the second half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Miles Bridges drives between Kipper Nichols (2) and Leron Black in the second half.
Miles Bridges drives between Kipper Nichols (2) and Leron Black in the second half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Senior Gavin Schilling waves to the home crowd for the last time as he leaves the floor late in the second half.
Senior Gavin Schilling waves to the home crowd for the last time as he leaves the floor late in the second half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Senior Gavin Schilling kisses the Spartan logo at center court as he leaves the floor.
Senior Gavin Schilling kisses the Spartan logo at center court as he leaves the floor.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Senior Ben Carter grins after he kissed the Spartan logo at center court.
Senior Ben Carter grins after he kissed the Spartan logo at center court.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Senior Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr kisses the Spartan logo at center court as he leaves the home floor for the last time.
Senior Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr kisses the Spartan logo at center court as he leaves the home floor for the last time.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Senior Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr hugs Tom Izzo as he leaves the home floor.
Senior Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr hugs Tom Izzo as he leaves the home floor.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Senior Ben Carter and his parents Mike and Hadar Carter walk onto the court.
Senior Ben Carter and his parents Mike and Hadar Carter walk onto the court.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Gavin Schilling and his parents, Andreas Schilling and Lisa Hall-Schilling, walk onto the court during Senior Night activities.
Gavin Schilling and his parents, Andreas Schilling and Lisa Hall-Schilling, walk onto the court during Senior Night activities.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn, Jr hugs his tearful mother Monalisa McKinney before they walk onto the court during Senior Night activities.
Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn, Jr hugs his tearful mother Monalisa McKinney before they walk onto the court during Senior Night activities.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Matt McQuaid celebrates with teammate Miles Bridges after the victory.
Matt McQuaid celebrates with teammate Miles Bridges after the victory.
Dale G. Young, The Detroit News
The Spartans celebrate after clinching a share of the Big Ten championship.
The Spartans celebrate after clinching a share of the Big Ten championship.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
The Spartans celebrate their first Big Ten championship since 2012.
The Spartans celebrate their first Big Ten championship since 2012.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Gavin Schilling reaches to touch the Big Ten championship trophy.
Gavin Schilling reaches to touch the Big Ten championship trophy.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State basketball players help unfurl a championship banner.
Michigan State basketball players help unfurl a championship banner.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State basketball players pose for a team picture with the trophy and a banner after beating Illinois on Tuesday.
Michigan State basketball players pose for a team picture with the trophy and a banner after beating Illinois on Tuesday.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News