(AP) -- It wasn't long ago that Michigan State and Illinois shared the lead in the Big Ten.

Though the ninth-ranked Spartans still are in a similar position, the Fighting Illini need another win over a top-10 opponent to realistically avoid falling out of the race.

Michigan State can tie for the conference's top spot again with a road victory Tuesday night against an Illinois team that has lost three straight.

The Spartans' 81-74 loss at Northwestern on Jan. 14 dropped them to 4-1 in the league and into a first-place tie with the Illini, who were still celebrating a 79-74 home win over then-No. 5 Ohio State four days prior.

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