Click here for the expanded box score.

CHAMPAIGN – Calvin Brock knows the rowdies will be in rare form when Illinois plays at No. 7 Michigan State on Saturday.

"Man, it's tough. The student section is out there before you get out for warmups," said Brock, a fifth-year senior. "They know your whole bio, everything about you, and they're talking trash an hour before the game."

After a 66-51 win against No. 25 Michigan on Wednesday, the Illini can look forward to the matchup in East Lansing, Mich., because there's a whole lot riding on the outcome. Illinois (15-2, 3-1 Big Ten) looked like it was for real in limiting Michigan to 20.6 percent shooting in the second half.

But Michigan State (14-2, 4-0) remains the Big Ten favorite. The Spartans have won 10 straight and are 6-0 at Breslin Center, a place where Illinois has enjoyed success. The Illini are 3-3 in their last six trips to East Lansing.

"It's kind of back to the days when (Eric) Snow was there and Mateen Cleaves," UI coach Bruce Weber said. "He's (Tom Izzo) got them running up and down."

"As soon as you walk on the court, you're going to hear about it," said Demetri McCamey, who had 17 points against Michigan. "They know everything about you: your mom's name, your sister's name, your brother's name."

Before 15,535 at the Assembly Hall, two of which were his proud parents, Mike Tisdale dropped in 24 points, one shy of a career high. He scored every which way, from hook shots to layups to his first three-pointer of the season – on his first attempt of the season.

"I was open, so I had to shoot it," Tisdale said.

"Mike's one of our top five three-point shooters, I'm telling you," McCamey said.

Weber tracks the Big Ten race with a unique scoring system. A home win is worth zero points, a home loss is minus-one, and a road win is plus-one.

Michigan State, with three road wins, has a league-best three points. Illinois won at Purdue, so it has one point.

A win Saturday would even the score at two points apiece, give Illinois its fourth triumph against a ranked team and vault the Illini into the national polls.

"If we play the way we played in the second half of this game and in the Indiana game (a 76-45 win), I think we'll be ready," said Brock (eight points, six rebounds). "We've just got to go out there and do it."

GAME 17 RECAP

What happened

Illinois avenged a loss at Michigan 10 days prior by locking down the Wolverines in the second half. And the UI joined an elite club, becoming the 13th program with 1,600 wins. A pair of sophomores — Mike Tisdale and Demetri McCamey — combined for 41 points.

What it means

If Illinois defends like that with regularity, it can compete with anyone in the country. Post-intermission, Michigan shot 20.7 percent, its lowest mark in a half this season. For perspective, Duke allowed Michigan to shoot 56.6 in the second half of their matchup.

What the Illini said

“Rebounding is still a question mark for us. We don’t pursue the ball. ... It just seems like they beat us to the ball.” — coach Bruce Weber

What the Wolverines said

“McCamey plays like a fifth-year guy, let alone a sophomore. He makes some great decisions out there.” — coach John Beilein

What’s next

Illinois and Michigan State clash Saturday at Breslin Center for early dibs on first place in the Big Ten. MSU has a leg up with three road wins (at Minnesota, Northwestern and Penn State). Illinois last won in East Lansing in March, 2006 — also the last time it was ranked.