Illinois Basketball's Loss to Michigan State Ignites Social Media

Alums, media and others across the college basketball landscape sounded off on the Spartans' win over the Illini

Jumbotron dancer Janet Alleman, left, and Ceasar Perez, aka Mr. Blue Hands, playfully intimidate each other before the Michigan State basketball game against Illinois on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Alleman, who recently met Perez at an event, invited him to sit next to her at the game. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No one can deny that No. 19 Illinois and No. 12 Michigan State waged an epic battle Sunday when the Illini visited the Breslin Center in East Lansing, where the Spartans came away battered and perhaps a bit bruised but with an 80-78 win – their 11th victory in a row.

Beyond that, fans of the Illini (13-5, 5-3 Big Ten) and Spartans (16-2, 7-0) could find very little common ground in their assessment of the matchup – especially given how pivotal the officials' calls were in such a tightly contested affair.

With many Illini fans bemoaning the officiating in Illinois' sixth loss in its past seven visits to the Breslin Center and Spartans fans accusing their orange-and-blue-backing counterparts of excessive whining, the most objective and sober judgments on social media came from the press and other unbiased sources. (Even if the funniest came from elsewhere.)

Let's take a quick look at the best and most significant reactions to the Illinois-Michigan State game, starting with a couple of alums:

Michigan State fought hard to win a nail-biter against Illinois. Holloman led the way with 17 points and Carr and Fidler had outstanding bench play and finished with 11 a piece! We remain undefeated in the Big Ten play and continue our win streak to 11 games! 👏🏾 @MSU_Basketball

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 19, 2025

Illini played hard, physical, confident. Controlled most of game at MSU w/out KJ. They were a layup attempt from Bos or catch finish from Ivisic away from winning. Makes winning B1G harder but nothing to worry about w/ this team long team. They are about to win a bunch in a row.

— Sean Harrington (@smharrington24) January 20, 2025

Several prominent members of the college basketball media weighed in on the Illini during and after the game, unable to help noticing the Illini's grit – and perhaps the seeds of potential greatness:

The fact that Illinois is only down two while getting nothing from Jakucionis (who has fouled out) tells me the Illini are the best team in the Bjg Ten even if they don’t pull off the win.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) January 19, 2025

Illinois is the best rebounding team in the country and beating Michigan State on the offensive glass right now. Illini up 19-12 with 8 offensive boards. Spartans hanging in well though — when they get out on the break, say goodnight.

Really fun game. Outstanding @B1GMBBall!

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) January 19, 2025

I will say that game did nothing to change my mind that Illinois is a potential Final Four team. Had them in my midseason Final Four earlier this month and I feel good about it. https://t.co/GDNwURc0te

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) January 19, 2025

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein deserves his own special shout-out after serving up volume, analysis and humor in a series of posts:

I've felt all season long that on a neutral court, Alabama, Auburn, and Duke had three highest ceilings in the country.

Illinois is at the top of the next tier.

And inching closer to the top tier.

The Illini are good enough to get to San Antonio. https://t.co/DZOK8NhxTy

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 19, 2025

Morez Johnson.

Buy Stock Now. https://t.co/DZOK8NhxTy

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 19, 2025

Will Riley.

You should have bought stock a long time ago. https://t.co/DZOK8NhxTy

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 19, 2025

Then you have the sharp, the voice and the former coach, all of them with unique perspectives on what they saw on the floor at the Breslin Center on Sunday:

Credit to Sparty, but this Illinois team likely beats Michigan State 8 out of 10 times on a neutral floor.

The whistle in this game has been laughably egregious.

— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) January 19, 2025

I know referees are going to miss calls. It happens. But FOUR phantom calls on the SAME guy who happens to the star player of the team? All in about 5 minutes? It’s unreal. #illini

— Tim Sinclair (@timjsinclair) January 19, 2025

Y’all know I don’t complain about fouls often. As a former CBB coach, you get immune to bad calls. They happen. Especially on the road. But today, they were egregious, phantom & directly impacted the outcome of a great game. A shame. Time to roll off about 10 in a row. #Illini

— Matt McCumber (@ILL_Texan) January 19, 2025

And this one? Well, we just couldn't get away with running a social-media reaction story and not including this post:

Is this real?? Explain yourselves @bigten pic.twitter.com/5tqCPnJPZk

— The Field Pass (@TheFieldPass) January 19, 2025

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Michigan State Outlasts Illinois Basketball in Big Ten Slugfest

Michigan State's Tom Izzo Compares Illinois Basketball to 'Celtics or Lakers'

Illinois Basketball Makes Significant Moves in NET, KenPom Rankings