Tom Izzo's impact is felt beyond the basketball court and throughout Michigan State's athletic department and community.

No. 8 Michigan State is in the midst of a bit of a break before it returns to the hardwood to take on Rutgers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.While the Scarlet Knights are just 3-5 in conference play,

Coach Boss lost his mother over the weekend. Tom Izzo had one of his biggest games of the season on Sunday against Illinois, but that didn’t stop him from calling both Coach Boss, and Boss’ father, multiple times on Sunday to check on them and give his condolences.

A pair of sneakers will be displayed in the lobby of the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center, where patients can leave their signatures and messages of hope.

Tom Izzo sees No. 12 Michigan State basketball getting tougher after beating No. 20 Illinois on Sunday, but also knows so will the Spartans' schedule.

On a road trip to New York City, No. 8 Michigan State (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) will take on a Rutgers team led by two likely NBA lottery picks. It may very well be the biggest atmosphere the Spartans play in this season.

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.

No. 12 Michigan State got the test that many were waiting for when it hosted No. 19 Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans passed the

Michigan State guard Jase Richardson, top left, blocks a shot by Penn State guard Ace Baldwin Jr. (1) as Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) AP

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo is impressed by what he sees from Illinois. The Spartans beat Illinois Sunday.

The Big 10 takes over Madison Square Garden, continuing our College Basketball odds series with a Michigan State-Rutgers prediction and pick.

Illinois, which Izzo called the best team in the Big Ten, had the talent around Jakucionis to keep the outcome at the Breslin Center in doubt until the final second. Rutgers (10-9, 3-5) missed the NCAA Tournament each of the last two years but opened the season ranked in the top 25 behind a pair of five-star additions.