Michigan St. vs. Illinois Pick
Can Michigan State go on the road and take care of business when it takes on Illinois tonight at 9PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Illinois is favored at home, as the Illini are getting odds of -2 points against Michigan State. The over/under total for the game is listed at 139.5 points. The Spartans have won and covered the spread in their last two meetings with Illinois. The two have yet to meet this season.
NCAA BB Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
MSU has won two straight and four of its last five games to move to 18-11 on the season and 10-6 in the Big Ten. The Spartans have also covered in four of their last five games and are now 15-13 against the spread on the season. Michigan State averages 72.4 points per game on offense this season while allowing 69.2 on defense. When on the road, MSU is scoring just 68.3 per game and giving up 76.1. Miles Bridges has been leading the team with 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest while Nick Ward is adding 13.4 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Illinois has won three straight to move to 17-12 on the season and 7-9 in the Big Ten. The Illini have covered in three straight as well to move to 12-14-1 against the spread on the season. Illinois is averaging 71.4 points per game on offense while allowing 70.1 on defense. When at home, the Illini put up 74.9 on offense while allowing 68.4 on defense. Malcolm Hill is averaging 17 points and 5.6 rebounds per game to lead the team while Maverick Morgan is adding 10 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest.
Bet on Michigan State vs. Illinois
Illinois hasn’t been quite that stellar at home lately. While it beat Northwestern 66-50, it had dropped three straight at home prior to that to the likes of Penn State, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Michigan State has looked shaky on the road in recent games, but the Spartans have the talent to win this game and I expect Bridges and Ward to step up and lead the team to victory.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: MICHIGAN STATE +2