No. 4 Michigan State 78, Illinois 62: Leading scorer Gary Harris poured in 23 points as the visiting Spartans won their 10th straight and secured the best start ever under coach Tom Izzo.

Michigan State (17-1, 6-0 Big Ten) won its program-record ninth straight away from home while ending a three-game losing streak at Illinois. Denzel Valentine and Keith Appling scored 15 points apiece and Matt Costello blocked six shots to go with eight points.

Illinois, which shot 33.1 percent over its previous four games, shot 37.7 percent in losing its fourth straight. The Illini (13-6, 2-4) got 15 points from Tracy Abrams and 12 apiece from Rayvonte Rice and Jon Ekey, but they were dominated on the glass, 38-25.

The Spartans built a 35-25 halftime lead and never let the Illini get closer than six in the second half. Michigan State shot a blistering 55.8 percent, with Harris going 7-for-9 and Valentine 6-for-9 from the field.

Rice, the Illini's leading scorer who’s been bothered by a strained abductor, shot 5-for-15 and is 10-for-35 over his last three games. It was a bad start to a stretch in which Illinois will play four ranked opponents in five games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Michigan State senior F Adreian Payne (16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds) missed his third straight game with a sprained foot. … Michigan State has outrebounded nine of its last 10 opponents. … Valentine added 11 rebounds and four assists in a terrific all-around performance.