Michigan State Basketball: 3 reasons Spartans will beat No. 24 Illinois

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 21: Tyson Walker #2 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 21, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. Spartans defeated the Badgers 86-74. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

1. This team plays well away from home

Winning games in the Big Ten is tough but winning on the road is even tougher. There are so many intimidating venues in the conference such as the Kohl Center, Mackey Arena, Assembly Hall, and the State Farm Center so winning on the road in the Big Ten is tough.

You could make an argument that these road atmospheres are the toughest from any conference in college basketball and Michigan State is traveling to another one on Tuesday night.

Winning at the Kohl Center was tough last Friday but Michigan State must win a second straight Top 25 road matchup at a hostile arena on Tuesday. State Farm Center is not a friendly atmosphere and it’s been a tough place for all visiting teams throughout the years.

But this Michigan State team has been really solid on the road this season, compiling a 4-0 record with wins at Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Butler. Illinois may be the toughest road environment yet, but this team isn’t scared of a hostile crowd.

That’s going to help on Tuesday night when the boos rain down from the crowd for 40 minutes.

Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2022. dark. Next

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