Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Illinois in Week 12

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 7: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots a three pointer in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 7, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. Illinois takes Michigan State down to the wire

While this might not seem likely since the Illini are just 10-10 overall and 0-7 in Big Ten play, Illinois always seems to play Tom Izzo’s teams tough in Champaign. The road hasn’t been kind to these young Spartans so far in 2017-18 as Rutgers took them down to the wire in Piscataway and Ohio State waxed them by 16 in Columbus.

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Those road woes will continue in the first half as Illinois might even have the lead heading into the locker room. The electricity in the arena will be intense as Michigan State will be rattled early by the environment against a team with essentially nothing to lose.

Michigan State will finally regain the lead for good with about 10 minutes left in the game, but the Illini will hang around just like Rutgers did in the first away game in Big Ten play for the Spartans. They’ll keep it within five until the final two minutes when free throws and big shots from Miles Bridges and Josh Langford seal the deal.

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Ultimately the Spartans will take this one 80-69, but not before the Illini make them work for every basket down the stretch and Leron Black has a 20-point game to lead Illinois. Michigan State needs gritty wins and this one will surely qualify.

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