The Spartans' win over Illinois bought breathing room against one of the Big Ten's most dangerous title contenders.

Bigger picture, it was an important bounce-back game. The Wolverines are in the hunt for a Big Ten title, and the win kept them near the top of the standings. They’re 6-1 in the league, behind Michigan State (7-0) and tied in the loss column with Purdue (7-1). Wisconsin is 5-2, three teams have three losses, and on down it goes.

Tre Holloman had 17 points, Coen Carr and Frankie Fidler scored 11 each and No. 12 Michigan State held on to beat No. 19 Illinois 80-78.

Auburn claimed the program’s second No. 1 ranking last week and won both its games despite playing without injured big man Johni Broome. The Tigers rolled over No. 14 Mississippi State 88-66 and survived a late comeback to beat then-No. 19 Georgia 70-68.

A wild week of upsets and court stormings led to a massive shakeup in the AP Top 25. One constant: Auburn. The Tigers were the unanimous pick at No. 1 in The Associated Press men's college basketball poll released on Monday,

The climb continues for the Michigan State men's basketball team. The Spartans moved up four spots to No. 8 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll, released Monday. Michigan State (16-2,