EAST LANSING, Mich. – Lacey Simpson flirted with a triple-double, but a slow start doomed Illinois in a 64-43 loss Thursday to Michigan State.

The Illini trailed 10-0 and 22-9, and they fell behind 35-15 at halftime.

Prediction: MICHIGAN STATE 63, ILLINOIS 51

Seems like this might be a tough game to find motivation for the languishing llini, who are staring at an emotional Senior Day on Sunday.

For the third straight year, the NCAA invited a smattering of media and coaches to engage in a mock selection exercise, and our Tony Bleill was one of the lucky ones in the mix.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Trailing by 30 points early in the second half, things looked bleak for Jolette Law's Illinois women's basketball team.

But the Illini never quit and went on a 34-8 run to cut the deficit to four with 3:30 remaining before eventually falling 77-67 at Iowa on Sunday.

Jolette Law has made no secret of her fondness for Iowa, where she starred for four Big Ten title-winning teams from 1986 to '90. She returned to Iowa City last season for the first time as a head coach, and the emotions were present.

CHAMPAIGN – For most of Illinois' home games this season, Jenna Smith's parents made the eight-hour drive from Bloomington, Minn., to see their daughter play.

On Thursday, they chose to stay home and watch it on BigTenNetwork.com. Bad timing.

Troy Gentle's weekly update on the five players headed Bruce Weber's way and the two players headed Jolette Law's way:

FINAL: Illinois 81, Northwestern 50

Jenna Smith scored a career-high 34 points -- the most by an Illini since 2001 -- as Illinois ran its winning streak against the Wildcats to 20.