Illinois Basketball: Michigan State Prediction + Preview

Illinois Basketball takes on the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday night, and Illinois has a chance to rebound after losing to Purdue last week.

The Spartans have been an interesting team this year. They aren’t the best team in the nation by any means, but they beat Baylor earlier this year with close losses to Arizona in their cap as well. The flip side of Michigan State, though, is a 14-point loss to Northwestern, a 7-point loss to Nebraska, and a loss to James Madison early in the year.

Illinois, on the other hand, has proven itself to be a very good basketball team even without Terrence Shannon. They took down Northwestern by 30 points and ended up losing close to Purdue at Mackey. Players like Marcus Domask, Quincy Guerrier and Justin Harmon have stepped up in big ways for the Illini.

Which Michigan State will show up on Thursday night?

Playing at home will work in Illinois Basketball’s favor (duh) as they seek to take down the Spartans. After a 5-game homestand, their first road matchup was that 14-point loss to Northwestern. The State Farm Center should be rocking, and I think Michigan State may have difficulty coming off that homestand.

Slowing down Tyson Walker is going to be a challenge. He averages 20 points per game for Michigan State, and the next closest Spartan averages 11. Ty Rodgers’ ability on defense may prove huge in this one if Illinois Basketball coach Brad Underwood has been able to adjust after Purdue rendered him useless last week.

A Stat to Watch

Illinois Basketball is 2nd in the Big Ten in FG% allowed this year, and Michigan State is 4th in FG% made. Can Illinois keep Michigan State from hitting shots? Can Illinois keep up their explosive offensive basketball play?

Prediction: Illinois 77 – Michigan State 70

Illinois, playing at home, has a great chance to win this basketball game. They have been playing great basketball of late in general, and I expect them to keep that trend going in this one. However, Michigan State has beaten some excellent teams this season. Still, I am predicting Illinois to win this basketball game between two of the Big Ten’s better teams.

**all stats provided by sports-reference.com**