"I’m not sleeping good on anything": Tom Izzo downplays Michigan State's 10-game streak and top-15 ranking 

Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo are enjoying a stellar season with a 15-2 record, currently on a 10-game winning streak and holding the No. 12 spot in the latest AP Top 25 rankings.

After his team's 90-85 victory over Penn State on Wednesday, Izzo said he gave "zero" attention to Michigan’s ranking and made it clear he wasn’t entirely satisfied with their performance.

“I said this at the beginning of the year, I said it in the middle of the year, and I’ll say it again: zero,” Izzo said when asked about the ranking.

“I don’t think anybody knows how good anybody is still. We’re seeing some of the most bizarre games, bizarre turnarounds… I’m not resting on anything. I’m not sleeping good on anything. I love my team, I love my guys, OK?”

Tom Izzo also critiqued both the Spartans’ play and his coaching.

“Tonight, they did not play as good as they can play and definitely tonight, we didn’t coach as well as we can coach,” Izzo said. “We’re going to do both those things better over the next three days and get ready for Illinois because they are good.”

Michigan State’s hard-fought victory over Penn State showcased both their strengths and areas for improvement. The Spartans forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 27 points, and dominated the offensive boards, nearly doubling Penn State’s output.

However, defensive lapses allowed the Nittany Lions to shoot an efficient 52.8% from the field, while Michigan State struggled from 3-point range, connecting on just 26.1% of their attempts.

Despite these challenges, Tom Izzo's Michigan State remains the only undefeated team in conference play (6-0).

Tom Izzo focused on growth with Michigan State

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is facing a pivotal moment as he remains focused on refining the Spartans’ performance. Speaking to the media after practice on Saturday, Izzo aired his frustration with recent defensive lapses, particularly in the second half of games.

“If I'm upset about things,” Izzo said. “It's because they happened the game before and the game before that. So it's never one thing, it’s a process.”

No. 12-ranked Michigan State will face No. 20-ranked Illinois on Sunday. The game offers a chance for the Spartans to prove their progress against a strong Illini squad. For Izzo, the focus is less on the winning streak and more on how his team handles challenges.

The Spartans have been prolific offensively, averaging 81.8 points per game, ranking 41st in the country and marking the highest offensive output of Izzo’s career.

However, recent games against Washington, Northwestern and Penn State revealed defensive vulnerabilities, with the team allowing 40-plus points in each second half.

“We're not as good as 10 (wins) in a row,” Izzo said. “We're not as good as undefeated in the league. We're a good basketball team that's looking to become great.”

Illinois (13-4, 5-2) presents a tough challenge, leading the nation in rebounding margin (12.4) and defensive rebounding (13.29) while boasting a potent offense that averages 87.3 ppg.