No. 19 Illinois (13-4, 5-2 Big Ten) will visit Breslin Center for Sunday’s noon tip. The Fighting Illini are the highest-rated team Michigan State has faced since Kansas in the Champions Classic, led by star freshman Kasparas Jakucionis. Both he and Illinois will be a major test for the Spartans.

Stopping freshman phenom Kasparas Jakučionis is the biggest mission for No. 12 Michigan State basketball against No. 20 Illinois on Sunday.

In the two games missed by Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis leading into Tuesday's road matchup with Indiana, the Illini learned that they didn't necessarily need their dynamic freshman guard to survive. But they were also reminded how much better life is with him in the lineup.

Kasparas Jakucionis made a tiebreaking layup with 32 seconds left, and No. 22 Illinois survived a furious comeback bid by Washington to squeak out an 81-77 victory Sunday at Alaska Airlines arena.

As Indiana prepares for Illinois, one major factor hangs in the balance. Illinois coach Brad Underwood said Monday he does not know whether star freshman Kasparas Jakucionis will play Tuesday at Indiana.

Illini Inquirer basketball analyst Mike LaTulip discusses what Kasparas Jakucionis' big return in a win at Indiana said about the freshman guard's impact on Illinois basketball.