Good college basketball teams generally have several off nights during the season. Heck, most great teams have a few of them during the season. How the Illini respond to this disappointing loss will be important going forward. Everything that really matters (Big Ten Conference Tournament championship, NCAA Tournament, Final Four) is still there for the taking, though it won't be easy for the Illini.
IMO, MSU has underachieved this season and really needed to win to keep alive their spot in the NCAA tournament. Sparty rose to the occasion on this night. Credit to Izzo and Michigan State players. Forget about this one and move on. Thankfully, the Huskers are up next for Illinois.