Spartans vs. Fighting Illini Prediction
The ninth-ranked Michigan State Spartans will look to bounce back from a loss over the weekend as they are big favorites tonight at the Illinois Fighting Illini. Is a bet on MSU to cover a smart play?
Game Snapshot
603 Michigan State Spartans at 604 Illinois Fighting Illini
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
State Farm Center at 7PM ET
TV: ESPN2
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Spartans are a 10-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 147.5. As of Tuesday morning, 75 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Michigan State. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Spartans stumble to second straight loss
Michigan State fell in overtime Saturday night by a count of 79-75 at home against Indiana. The Spartans (18-4, 9-2 Big Ten Conference) were outscored 38-35 in the second half and 13-9 in overtime en route to the defeat. Cassius Winston paced MSU with 26 points on 9-of-22 shooting including 4-of-9 on 3-point attempts plus 4-of-4 at the free throw line. He also contributed eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Xavier Tillman tallied 13 points, seven boards and two blocked shots. Kenny Goins filled up the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds, eight blocked shots and six assists. Nick Ward added 11 points, six caroms and two blocks. Michigan State shot 29-of-64 from the field, 9-of-21 from 3-point distance and 8-of-22 at the free throw line.
Illini take down Cornhuskers
Illinois secured a 71-64 victory Saturday at home against Nebraska to improve to 7-15 overall and 3-8 in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini led 38-29 at halftime and kept control in the second half. Illinois shot 27-of-56 from the floor, 8-of-20 from 3-point distance and 9-of-23 at the free throw line. Kipper Nichols paced the Illini with 18 points off the bench on 7-of-8 shooting including 2-of-3 from 3-point range plus 2-of-4 at the free throw line. He also notched six rebounds and two assists. Ayo Dosunmu had 13 points, three boards and two assists. Trent Frazier added 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Michigan State
The Spartans are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 Big Ten games. Michigan State is 6-1 ATS in its last seven road games.
Illinois
The Fighting Illini are 8-18-2 ATS in their last 28 Tuesday games. Illinois is 3-8-2 ATS in its last 13 home games.
Prediction:
The Spartans should have beaten Indiana handily, but were awful at the free throw line and did not protect the 3-point line well at key moments. Expect a focused MSU effort here as an Illinois team that struggles on both ends of the floor, particularly offensively, shouldn’t be any match even on its home floor. I think the Illini are definitely catching the Spartans at the wrong time.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS -10