Illini in need of a spark

Alex Wittinger, right, and the Illinois women’s basketball team host Michigan State at 8 p.m. today inside State Farm Center.CHAMPAIGN — It has been a month since the Illinois women's basketball team celebrated a victory. On Dec. 16, the Illini beat Austin Peay 59-47 to improve to 9-4.

Nancy Fahey's team is 9-10 going into today's game against Michigan State at State Farm Center. The six-game streak started with a loss at ranked Missouri. Two of the other five losses came against ranked Maryland and Rutgers, both on the road.

The Illini played better in home losses against Northwestern, Iowa and Nebraska. The games were decided by an average margin of 12, compared to a 30-point margin for the…