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Illini Upsets #9 Michigan State

In a game in which neither team made even one-third of its shots, it seemed right the deciding free throws would be followed by a few more misses.

Brandon Paul made two foul shots that gave Illinois the lead with 45 seconds to play, then missed the front end of 2 1-1s in the Illini's 42-41 win over No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday night.

The shooting - 32.6% for Illinois and 24.1% for Michigan State - was so bad that players suggested the ball may have had too much air in it.

The win ended a 3-game losing streak for the Illini (16-6, 5-4 Big Ten), a run that left coach Bruce Weber resorting to prayer.

The loss cost the Spartans (17-5, 6-3) a chance to move into first place in the Big Ten with No. 3 Ohio State.

Spartans forward Draymond Green spent much of the game on the bench with foul trouble, then was helped from the court with what appeared to be an injury to his left knee with just under 4 minutes to play. He didn't return.

Paul led Illinois with 18 points. He scored 13 of Illinois' 20 second-half points, but was 6 of 17 from the field. He was 5 of 9 from the free throw line and the Illini finished 9 of 17.

The Illini wrap up this week's play on Sunday against Northwestern in Champaign.

NCAA Top-25 Men's Basketball  (ESPN/"USA Today" Rankings)
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#1 Kentucky Wildcats 69, Tennessee Volunteers 44
#6 (tie) North Carolina Tar Heels 68, Wake Forest Demon Deacons 53
#15 Marquette Golden Eagles 66, Seton Hall Pirates 59
#18 Virginia Cavaliers 65, Clemson Tigers 61
#20 Wisconsin Badgers 52, Penn State Nittany Lions 46

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