Illinois-Michigan State game postponed due to COVID-19

3 more Spartans test positive for COVID-19

By Larry Smith/IlliniGuys.com

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo announced today that the Spartans will have to postpone this Saturday's date vs. #22 Illinois due to COVID-19.

Izzo said three more Spartans tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, including freshman walk-on Davis Smith, son of Michigan State legend Steve Smith. Izzo himself tested positive back in early November.

The Spartans haven’t played since a 55-54 loss to Purdue on January 8th.  They had already postponed games at Iowa and against Indiana last week due to three other players testing positive, including his son Steven

For the Illini, it’s the third game this season they’ve had affected by the coronavirus. They were forced to make a last-minute cancellation of their home date vs. Tennessee-Martin back on December 5th due to issues with the visiting team. Their game scheduled for last Wednesday night at Nebraska was put on hold after a COVID incident within the Cornhuskers program.

The announcement leaves Illinois with another lull in their schedule. After five days off between the Maryland and Ohio State dates last week, the Big Ten contender will now have nine days off between tomorrow night’s home game vs. Penn State and the January 29th showdown vs. #4 Iowa.

There is a slim chance of making up the Nebraska game during that time.  The Cornhuskers remain quarantined – they’ve already called off next Sunday’s game at Iowa, the 4th contest in a row that they’ve postponed.  However, IlliniGuys.com Insider Brad Sturdy says look for the Illini to try to add a game early next week.

Podcasts

Illinois Athletics State of the Union Discussion - #487

Listen

Whitman's Illini State of the Nation & the NBA Draft - 6.27.25 - S4Ep46

Listen

Zach Hamer Illini Asst BB Coach Talks KJ, Will & the NBA Draft - #486

Listen

Illini FB Recruiting Update, If Illini FB was a Movie & NIL & NBA Draft "What If" #485

Listen

Illini BB International Players & Cearah Parchment the newest IlliniGal - 6.20.25 - S4Ep45

Listen

Illini FB Recruiting Blitz & House Settlement Implications - 6.13.25 - S4Ep44

Listen

Illini Update Featuring 3-Star Illini WR Commit Kenyon Alston - #484

Listen

Illini Hoops & Football Schedules, Illini HOF Voting & More - 6.6.25 - S4Ep43

Listen

FB Portal Thoughts, Expectations, BB Update & for the 1st Time in My Life...#483

Listen

May 30 - Hr2 - S4Ep42 - Illini Recruiting, NBA Draft, Caitlin Clark & More

Listen

May 30 - Hr1 - S4Ep42 - FB & BB Contracts, FB & Golf Update & Brian Barnhart

Listen

May 23 - Hr2 - S4Ep41 - French Open, Indiana Pro Hoops & Softball

Listen

May 23 - Hr1 - S4Ep41 - Illini FB Recruiting, Golf and Track

Listen

High School Recruiting Takes the Spotlight - #482

Listen

May 16 - Hr2 - S4Ep40 - Chicago Sky, ACC Issues & Northwestern Stadium

Listen