Michigan St. Spartans vs
Illinois Fighting IlliniPredictions & Preview

Illinois Fighting Illini Look to Continue Winning Streak Against Slumping Michigan State Spartans

The Illinois Fighting Illini will face off against the No. 11 Michigan State Spartans at the State Farm Center, with the Illini holding a 4-game winning streak in the rivalry. Michigan State won their last meeting by a narrow margin of 80-78 in January. Illinois is favored to win with a point spread of -6.5. The game will be televised on Fox at 8 PM EST.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Spartans +205 | Fighting Illini -254
• Spread: Spartans +6.5 (-110) | Fighting Illini -6.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 156.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Illinois will win straight-up is 72%.

Michigan St. vs Illinois Stats

Michigan St. Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans, coached by Tom Izzo, have had a strong season but are facing pressure after losing three of their last four games. Despite being a top defensive team, they struggled in a recent loss to Indiana. The team ranks 23rd nationally and excels in offensive efficiency, shooting 46.6% from the field and 81% from the free-throw line. Leading scorer Jaden Akins is averaging 13.4 points per game, while Jaxon Kohler leads in rebounds and Jeremy Fears Jr. leads in assists, steals, and three-point percentage. With a power ranking of 104, the Spartans have a strong offense, ranking 58th in scoring and excelling in free throw shooting, but struggle with three-point shooting. Defensively, they are solid, limiting opponents to 39.9% shooting from the field. Overall, the Spartans have a record of 19-5 and are ranked 14-9-1 against the spread.

Illinois Fighting Illini Analysis

The Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team has been on a winning streak, defeating Minnesota and UCLA in their last two games. Led by freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis and sophomore center Tomislav Ivisic, the team has shown great balance on offense and defense. They are currently ranked 15th by KenPom, with the 14th best offense and 28th best defense in the country. The team excels in scoring points, particularly with their three-point shooting, ranking 4th in attempts and 29th in made threes per game. Their recent win over UCLA saw Jakucionis leading the team with 24 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. In terms of offensive statistics, the Fighting Illini rank highly in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and rebounding. Defensively, they have solid percentages in opponent field goal and three-point shooting. When compared to Michigan State, Illinois has had the upper hand in recent matchups. Overall, the Fighting Illini have a strong offense, solid defense, and are poised for continued success in the season.

Illinois Fighting Illini Look to Continue Winning Streak Against Slumping Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans, who started the season strong with nine consecutive wins in the Big Ten, have recently experienced a setback by losing three of their last four games, with a 0-2-1 ATS record in their recent road games. On the other hand, the Illinois Fighting Illini have been performing well, winning their last three home games. With a notable advantage in three-point shooting, making almost four more three-pointers per game than the Spartans, the Illini are poised to maintain their winning streak in this matchup. Additionally, the Illini's strong defensive performance positions them closely behind their opponents. Therefore, it is recommended to support the home team to continue their success in this competitive rivalry.

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