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Spartans have high hopes, tall order vs. No. 1 Illini.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
Byline: Jemele Hill
EAST LANSING, Mich. _ It's no secret that Michigan State hasn't won many showcase basketball games in recent seasons. Tonight, the Spartans have another opportunity, but they must do one itsy-bitsy thing:
Beat the nation's top team, which also happens to be undefeated.
Twenty-nine years have passed since the No. 1 team has visited East Lansing, and 26 have gone by since the Spartans have beaten the top-ranked team.
Those factors alone make Tuesday night's nationally televised game against Illinois (21-0) perhaps the most important regular-season game in Tom Izzo's 10 seasons as head coach.
``Anytime you can bring a No. 1 team that has been so dominant, it's a great opportunity,'' Izzo said Monday. ``I hope this place is like it never has been.''
For sure, tonight's stage is special. Although it's only February, the game could decide the Big Ten championship. The Illini are 7-0 in conference play, and the 12th-ranked Spartans are right behind them at 5-1.
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