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Michigan State Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Illinois in Week 12

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 19: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball over Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Breslin Center on January 19, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 19: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball over Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Breslin Center on January 19, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Monday night presents a big opportunity for Michigan State basketball which will be facing the Illinois Fighting Illini on the road.

Champaign has not been kind to Tom Izzo and Michigan State over the years. The most recent meeting between Michigan State and Illinois in Champaign was just last season when the Spartans lost a tight battle, 73-70, and it nearly ended their tourney hopes.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 reasons not to panic after Michigan loss

This season is much different. Brad Underwood is the new coach of Illinois (10-10, 0-7 Big Ten) and the Illini are still looking for their first conference win. Michigan State (17-3, 5-2), on the other hand, is looking to remain in that top-tier of Big Ten contenders, trying to keep up with unbeaten Ohio State and Purdue.

This game will be interesting since the Spartans haven’t played well on the road in Big Ten action this season, but a convincing win on Monday night will give this team some momentum heading into a three-game week.

Here’s how you can watch Monday night’s Michigan State vs. Illinois game:

Date: Monday, Jan. 22
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: Champaign, Ill.
Venue: State Farm Center
TV: FOX Sports 1
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to victory

For Michigan State, it’s simple. Blocking out the hostile environment and just playing fast-paced Spartan basketball will lead to a nice win. The Spartans need not be rattled on the road against Illinois seeing as they are head and shoulders better than their Monday night opponent. Not letting the crowd get into it will be important — that means putting the game away early.

Defensively, defending the paint and forcing the Illini to take 3-pointers might be the most important key. Usually, Michigan State wants to force teams to drive, but Illinois has been so poor from distance this season that the Spartans would be better off giving up those shots than letting the Illini get inside.

Illinois players to watch

Despite the 10-10 overall record and 0-7 mark in Big Ten action, Illinois has some guys who can put some points on the board. The Illini average 78 points per game and are shooting 44 percent from the floor, but luckily for the Spartans, they struggle from 3-point range.

  • Leron Black — 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 55% FG shooting, 44% 3-point shooting
  • Trent Frazier — 11.0 points, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals, 42% FG shooting
  • Michael Finke — 10.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 50% FG shooting
  • Aaron Jordan — 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 52% 3-point shooting
  • Mark Smith — 7.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists (former MSU target)

Next: MSU Basketball: Top 7 targets to watch in 2019 class

Prediction

Michigan State has just three wins in Champaign in the last 10 years, showing that playing at Illinois is never easy no matter how poorly the Illini might be playing. This season will be no exception as the Illini will take the Spartans down to the wire (the final 10 minutes) before Michigan State pulls away with some clutch shots from Miles Bridges and Josh Langford. Nick Ward will have a strong game in the post as well, making up for some struggles by Jaren Jackson Jr. The Spartans make the final score look more comfortable than the game truly was.

Final Score: Michigan State 80, Illinois 69

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