Michigan State Spartans vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/15/2025

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Saturday, February 15, 2025

Venue:  State Farm Center, Champaign, IL

Where to Watch:  FOX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  MSU +5.5, Illinois -5.5; Over/Under:  154.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  MSU +5.5, Illinois -5.5; Over/Under:  154.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  MSU +5.5, Illinois -5.5; Over/Under:  154.5 points

Michigan State Spartans:  19-5 (10-3) (3rd place, Big Ten)

Illinois Fighting Illini:  17-8 (9-6) (7th place, Big Ten)

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Michigan State Spartans:  2-3  last 5

Illinois Fighting Illini:  3-2  last 5

Michigan State is entering this game with a 19-5 record overall, a 10-3 record in conference games, and they are 4-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Indiana Hoosiers in their last game. Jaden Akins led the team in points per game in that game with 14 while Jase Richardson was next on the team with 13. Tre Holloman led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Jaxon Kohler led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 38.2% from the field, 17.4% from 3-point range, and 84% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 79.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.6 PPG against them. Michigan State has an ATS record of 14-9-1 this season and their O/U record is 9-15.

Illinois is entering this game with a 17-8 record overall, a 9-6 conference record, and they are 11-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the UCLA Bruins in their last game. Kasparas Jakučionis led the team in points in that game with 24 while Tomislav Ivišić was next on the team with 16. Kasparas Jakučionis led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Kasparas Jakučionis led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 50.9% from the field, 39.3% from 3-point range, and 90% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 71.3 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 12-13 this season and their O/U record is 15-10.

The current betting odds have Michigan State listed as a 5.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Michigan State has looked really good in their games this season with their 19-5 record overall and their 10-3 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They have also been a good road team so far with their 4-2 road record. Meanwhile, Illinois has looked good in their games this season with their 17-8 record overall and their 9-6 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. They have looked good on their home court too with their 11-3 home record, but they have also lost against some strong opponents there this season. They are 3-2 in their last 5 games and coming off a win over UCLA in their last one, but they did blow a big lead in that game and barely hung on against UCLA who has struggled a lot in road games this season. Michigan State hasn't looked great lately as they are 2-3 in their last 5 games and have lost in some disappointing games, coming off a home loss to Indiana in their last one, but they have still been one of the best teams in the Big Ten all season and will be looking to bounce back here. They may be 2-3 in their last 5 games, but all of their losses have been in some tight games so look for Tom Izzo to get the best out of his team here to bounce back and get back on track against a strong team in the conference. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan State to cover the spread in this game. 

Michigan State Illinois Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, February 15, 2025 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Michigan State 81 Illinois 77.

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Michigan State Spartans: 6-3 ATS off an upset loss to a conference rival as a favorite. 20-9 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses. 23-13 ATS versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of 42% or less. 26-18 UNDER after playing a home game. 14-8 UNDER off a loss against a conference rival.

Illinois Fighting Illini: 13-23 1H ATS off a win against a conference rival. 10-16 1H ATS versus teams who average 6 or less steals/game on the season. 5-2 UNDER as a home favorite of 6 points or less or pick. 

Michigan State Spartans:  C. Walton (F) Out - Redshirt.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  T. White (G) Questionable - Illness. T. Rodgers (G) Out - Redshirt.

“I took responsibility that night. I take more responsibility (after watching the tape). (The Hoosiers) played 4% zone the whole year. They played 90% after we got up 20-8. They adjusted. We adjusted, but we didn't adjust good enough, and that falls on me.” - Tom Izzo after his team’s loss against Indiana in their last game. 

“We aren’t worried about any of that yet. I know we’ve got six Quad 1 wins, and I think just about every game we’ve got on the schedule is pretty close to that.” - Brad Underwood on his team this season.

J. Akins 

J. Fears 

T. Holloman 

J. Kohler 

S. Zapala

K. Boswell 

B. Humrichous 

T. Ivisic 

K. Jakucionis 

T. White

PPG: J. Akins (13.4)

APG: J. Fears (6)

Reb/G: J. Kohler (7.8)

PPG: K. Jakucionis (16)

APG: K. Jakucionis (5.2)

Reb/G: T. Ivisic (8.5)

Coaches:

Michigan State Spartans: Tom Izzo (30th season)

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (8th season)