Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February 2019

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after a play late in the second half during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Just like Indiana, Illinois has had a rough go of things in Big Ten play, but it did pull off its biggest victory of the season at the end of January, beating a ranked Maryland team at Madison Square Garden. Other than that victory, Illinois has been nothing short of mediocre this season.

If you asked Illini fans, they’d tell you that the talent is there, but the team is young and they have yet to truly reach their potential. Should we believe that? Maybe since Brad Underwood is a decent head coach, but you don’t start the year 6-15 for no reason. There may be talent on the roster, but the Fighting Illini aren’t nearing contention.

Where this game may get tough is the fact that it’s in Champaign. No matter how poor the Fighting Illini have been, Illinois has been one of the toughest places for visitors in the Big Ten for years. Michigan State is a veteran team, though, and won’t let that atmosphere get the best of it.

Cassius Winston will score 25 points with eight assists while Nick Ward adds 20 of his own and Xavier Tillman scores in double figures off the bench as the Spartans pull away late for a nice double-digit road victory.

Prediction: Michigan State 80, Illinois 66 (20-3, 11-1)

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