Michigan State Spartans (9-6) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (11-3)
January 11, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Illinois Fighting Illini -3.5 / Michigan State Spartans +3.5; Over/Under: 149.5
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The Michigan State Spartans will play the Illinois Fighting Illini in a Big Ten game on Thursday night at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Michigan State has won five of their last six games, while Illinois has won four of their last five. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Michigan State vs Illinois prediction.
Michigan State Preview
The Michigan State Spartans are 9-6 (1-3) this year after they lost to Northwestern by a score of 88-74 in their last game. Michigan State trailed 46-31 at halftime and couldn’t really get back into the game in the second half. The Spartans shot 48.1% from the field and made 9 three pointers in the game. Michigan State had won their previous five games against Penn State, Indiana State, Stony Brook, Oakland, and Baylor. The Spartans are scoring 78 points per game with 37 rebounds per game and 18.6 assists per game, while allowing 65.9 points against per game this season. Tyson Walker is averaging 20.6 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game. Michigan State is shooting 48.4% from the field, 69.9% on free throws, and 35.9% on three pointers this year. Michigan State will meet Rutgers, Minnesota, and Maryland after this one.
Illinois Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 11-3 (2-1) this season after they lost to Purdue by a score of 83-78 in their last game. Illinois trailed 47-32 at the half, but scored 46 points in the second half and nearly came back. The Fighting Illini shot 42.6% from the field and were -15 in rebounding margin in the game. Illinois had won their previous four games against Northwestern, FDU, Missouri, and Colgate. The Fighting Illini are scoring 83.5 points per game with 44 rebounds per game and 13.6 assists per game, while giving up 66.8 points against per game this year. Marcus Domask is averaging 14.1 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game. Illinois is shooting 47.9% from the field, 71.8% on free throws, and 35% on three pointers this season.
Michigan State vs Illinois Betting Prediction
Both of these teams had their winning streaks snapped in their last game and they will look to get back on track in this matchup. Illinois will be at home for this game and they played very well in the second half against Purdue in their last game. Michigan State is only 1-3 in Big Ten play so far this season and they just allowed 88 points to Northwestern last time out. This MSU team has been tough to figure out this season and I can’t trust them here. Take Illinois to get a nice home win.
