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Michigan State Basketball: Game preview, prediction at Illinois

By Connor Muldowney

Feb 23, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston (5) brings the ball up court during the second half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston (5) brings the ball up court during the second half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball faces a crucial road game against Illinois on Wednesday evening — here’s everything you need to know.

At this point in the season, every game is a must-win for Michigan State. Beating Illinois on Wednesday night is up there with one of the most crucial games of the season as the Spartans are coming off a huge win over No. 16 Wisconsin, essentially punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

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The Fighting Illini are on fire lately as well. As much as the Spartans need this win, Illinois needs it even more. Michigan State could get off the bubble completely with a victory, improving the Spartans to 19-11 on the year, but the Fighting Illini need a win to even stay alive in the race for one of the final tourney spots.

Here’s how you can watch Wednesday night’s game at Illinois:

Date: Wednesday, March 1
Start Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: Champaign, IL
Venue: State Farm Center
TV: Big Ten Network
Live Stream: BTN2Go

Keys to Victory

Feed Nick Ward. Illinois isn’t a particularly big team either, so getting the ball into the post and letting Ward do some damage will be important. He needs to have another 15 and eight type of game for the Spartans to come out on top and I believe he’s going to do just that. Oh, and keep Josh Langford hot.

Defensively, it’s going to be important to keep Malcolm Hill in check. The Spartans have been much better defensively of late and they need to take advantage of a matchup with a mediocre offensive squad that depends on Hill more than it should. Slow him down and Michigan State will be in good shape.

Fun Facts

  • Michigan State won the last meeting between the two teams in Champaign back in 2015.
  • The Spartans haven’t lost in Champaign since Jan. 2012 with one of the lowest-scoring losses in school history, 42-41.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Illinois -2
Over/Under: 136

Related Story: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for month of March

Prediction

This isn’t going to be an easy game for Michigan State. However, Tom Izzo has drilled it into his team that they need to likely win one more game in order to stay off the bubble and get into the field of 68. Miles Bridges is going to have a monster game, scoring 25 points to go along with Nick Ward’s 16 and eight rebounds. The offense will protect the ball once again while the Illini will get hot from the 3-point line and make it close late.

Final: Michigan State 75, Illinois 68

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