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Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for Top 25 matchup at Illinois

By Nate Rhoades

Michigan State's Gabe Brown moves the ball up the court against High Point, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021 at the Breslin Center.Syndication Lansing State Journal
Michigan State's Gabe Brown moves the ball up the court against High Point, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021 at the Breslin Center.Syndication Lansing State Journal /
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Jan 21, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Max Christie (5), Wisconsin Badgers center Chris Vogt (33) and Michigan State Spartans forward Julius Marble II (34) fight for a rebound during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Max Christie (5), Wisconsin Badgers center Chris Vogt (33) and Michigan State Spartans forward Julius Marble II (34) fight for a rebound during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Rebounding and turnovers won’t be an issue again

Michigan State has knocked itself down so many times this season with self-inflicted wounds — two of those being turnovers and rebounds.

Turnovers have plagued the Spartans all season long but this won’t happen in this top 25 matchup. The Spartans will come to play against Illinois and will turn the ball over only nine times.

They will make better passes. They won’t step out of bounds or make silly decisions. The turnovers won’t be the reason the Spartans go down.

Rebounds have also been a struggle for the Spartans. They have allowed their opponents to put rebound them on the offensive side too many times this season. Games that should have been dominant wins ended up coming down to the wire because of these rebounding woes.

This will not be an issue in this game. The Illini could possibly be without Kofi Cockburn which would make rebounding way easier. However, even if Illinois has Cockburn, the Spartans will not lose the rebounding battle. They will not give up an abundance of second-chance points.

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