Michigan State Basketball: Final score predictions vs. Illinois on Senior Night
Tuesday night’s Michigan State basketball game against Illinois has a Big Ten title on the line. Will the Spartans take care of the Illini on Senior Night?
Senior Night often comes with emotional goodbyes to four-year players who have starred for the Spartans, but the 2018 version will have a different feel. Michigan State is graduating three players — Tum Tum Nairn, Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter — and each has had an impact in their own way.
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Although none of the three were ever “stars”, each has helped Michigan State reach the top in some way or another. Another two players — Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. — could also be playing their last game at Breslin Center.
Emotions will be running high with five potential final home games, but there is still plenty on the line for Michigan State, including a Big Ten title.
The Spartan Avenue staff offers ups its predictions for Senior Night.
Connor Muldowney: Michigan State needs to keep its focus despite playing one of the conference’s worst teams on Senior Night. Miles Bridges may be playing his last home game as well and he will go off for 30 points while Cassius Winston will have a solid game of his own. Don’t sleep on the seniors, namely Gavin Schilling, to have a helping hand in the victory. Michigan State will build a big lead early and not let up, clinching its first Big Ten title since 2013.
Final Score: Illinois 63, Michigan State 86
Adam Zdroik: If Michigan State turns it over 25 times again, Izzo may explode. The Illini have three Big Ten wins and they all came at home. They stayed close in that first game because of 25 turnovers and Kipper Nichols put in the best performance of his career. The Spartans should take this one easily with hopes of getting Nick Ward and Josh Langford more buckets ahead of tournament play. Illinois will only keep things close if Trent Frazier or Nichols goes off. It’s even more problematic that big man Michael Finke is questionable due to a concussion. If he can’t go, look out.
Final Score: Illinois 65, Michigan State 84
Michael Briggs: Michigan State is back atop the Big Ten standings following a wild couple of weeks. After nearly blowing their opportunity to win the outright conference title against Northwestern, the Spartans are unlikely to lose again in the regular season. This team showed some serious grit and resolve with its back against the wall, gaining momentum for its postseason run. For some fans, trusting this group will be difficult despite the comeback. That first half performance was certainly disappointing. Dominant wins over Illinois and Wisconsin would certainly help alleviate some concern.
Final Score: Illinois 64, Michigan State 88
Cory Linsner: A Michigan State team that is finally finding its elite form and poising itself for a run in March needs to use this game as a step forward and not a step back. Illinois, a young and scrappy team, is coming off an emotional home win over Nebraska. Like any young team, they either come ready to play and can compete with the best, or it’s going to be over quick. Expect this one to be over quick. In an emotional Senior Night (you might as well throw Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. in that category as well) and the last game at Breslin for the year. Tom Izzo’s squad is going to give the fans a good one.
Final Score: Illinois 61, Michigan State 83
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Stephen Robb: Illinois first-year head coach Brad Underwood’s team has lost its last 10 out of its last 13 games. Illinois needed a career-best from Leron Black to to steal a win against Nebraska. They hit 9-of-21 3-pointers and won, 72-66. Can the Illini do it again? Probably not. This is a young team and MSU is peaking at the right time. Coming back 27 points down at Northwestern is no easy feat. That was a moment that could help forge a deep run in the tournament. The Spartans will handle business.
Final Score: Illinois 64, Michigan State 81