An incensed Tom Izzo called Michigan State basketball's second-half defensive issues "a problem" after surviving Penn State for a 10th straight win.

To be fair to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, there aren't as many Alan Andersons and Shannon Browns across college basketball as there once were. So when Izzo butchered the names of Kasparas Jakucionis,

Tom Izzo said No. 12 Michigan State basketball must defend better Sunday against No. 20 Illinois on Sunday despite the Spartans' offensive upturn.

Izzo is taking the threat of the Illini seriously as he prepares his Spartans for Sunday's matchup in East Lansing

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) -No. 12 Michigan State men’s basketball took down No. 19 Illinois 80-78 Sunday afternoon. MSU now improves to 7-0 in conference play with the victory. Coach Tom Izzo spoke to the media after his team’s victory:

MSU head coach Tom Izzo previews the Spartans’ upcoming matchup against Rutgers on Saturday from Madison Square Garden

Michigan State basketball had a nice break this week after a tough-fought win over Illinois on Sunday. Now, the Spartans will head to New York City to face off against a young, quickly improving Rutgers team in Madison Square Garden headlined by Rutgers’ star freshmen and NBA draft prospects Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.