Michigan State (15-2) vs Illinois (13-4)
Game Info: Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 12:00 pm (Breslin Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Michigan State -3.5 — Over/Under: 153.5
The Illinois Fighting Illini are visiting the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday, January 19th at the Jack Breslin Students Events Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction. We will examine:
The Michigan State Spartans’ recent form and player performance
The Illinois Fighting Illini’s recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Michigan State Spartans
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Illinois Fighting Illini
Recent betting trends in games played between Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan State Spartans
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan State Spartans game
Michigan State Spartans Preview
The Michigan State Spartans have a 15-2 record this season and are sitting in the first place in the Big Ten. They are coming off a 90-85 win over Penn State. The Spartans are 11-6 against the spread, and 7-10 in over/under, while having a 9-0 home record.
Offensively, Michigan State is averaging 81.8 points per game, which ranks 42nd in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 67.1 points per game (61st). The Spartans shoot 47.8% from the field (55th) and just 28.7% from beyond the arc (348th). The Spartans shoot 81.6% from the free throw line, which is the third-best nationally, and are grabbing 40.8 rebounds per game (15th).
Jaden Akins leads Michigan State in scoring this season with 14.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, while Jase Richardson adds 9.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Illinois Fighting Illini Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini have a 13-4 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place in the Big 10. Illinois is coming off a 94-69 win over Indiana. The Fighting Illini are 9-7-1 against the spread, and 10-7 in over/under while having a 3-1 road record.
Offensively, Illinois is averaging 87.3 points per game, which is the 5th-best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 67.3 points per game (65th). The Fighting Illini shoot 45% from the field (177th) and 33.2% from beyond the arc (217th). The Fighting Illini shoot 77.1% from the free-throw line (35th) and are grabbing 45.5 rebounds per game, which is the second-best in the nation.
Kasparas Jakucionis leads Illinois in scoring with an average of 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and a team-high 5.4 assists, while Tomislav Ivisic adds 13 points and a team-high 8.8 rebounds. Illinois will meet Maryland and Northwestern after this game.
Why the Michigan State Spartans will win
- Michigan State has won each of its last 15 games at Jack Breslin Student Events Center when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Illinois has lost five of its last six games at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
- Michigan State has won the first half in each of its last 10 games.
Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win
- Illinois has won each of its last seven Sunday games.
- Michigan State has lost four of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Illinois has won the first half in 17 of its last 18 games against the Big Ten Conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan State Spartans Head-to-Head
Illinois is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings against Michigan State, but both teams are 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 meetings. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings, and in their most recent meeting last season, Michigan State won 88-80 at home, covering the spread, as the game went over the point total.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction
In this Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction, Michigan State is coming as a -3.5 home favorites. Both teams have been excellent this season, as they are winning by an average of 20 and 14.7 points per game. Both teams are also coming in red-hot, with the Spartans having won their last 10 games and are 8-2 against the spread, while the Fighting Illini are 6-1 in their last 7, but 4-5-1 against the spread. the Spartans are at home, where they have been undefeated in 9 games, and are in better form, so I expect them to take care of business today. Take the Michigan State Spartans and lay the points at home.