Jan. 31, 2008

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TEAM NOTES

-- MSU's win over Illinois moves the Spartans to a 19-2 record, the best 21-game start in school history. The 2000-01 and 1994-95 Spartans were 18-3 after 21 games.

-- Head coach Tom Izzo, who celebrated his 53rd birthday, is 5-1 on Jan. 30 in his career.

-- Michigan State finishes the month of January 7-1.

-- MSU defeated Illinois despite going 0-for-9 from 3-point range. It was the first time the Spartans did not make a 3-pointer since Feb. 21, 1999, when Michigan State went 0-for-4 from beyond the arc and defeated Wisconsin 56-51 at the Breslin Center.

-- Michigan State extended its home winning streak to 17 and the Spartans are 13-0 in the Breslin Center this season.

-- MSU held Illinois to 30 percent shooting, tied for the third-lowest shooting for an opponent this season. Chicago State (28.6) and Iowa (27.5) shot a lower percentage and San Jose State also shot 30 percent.

PLAYER NOTES

-- Junior post player Goran Suton recorded his team-leading sixth double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. It was his 11th career double-double in 87 games. Suton also surpassed the 500-rebound mark, and now has 502 for his career. Additionally, he tied his season-high with four assists.

-- Senior Drew Neitzel converted all seven of his free throws, bringing his career percentage to .857, tying Shawn Respert's career school record. Neitzel's seven made free throws made is also a season high.

-- Senior center Drew Naymick tallied his 108th career block, extending his own career school record.