Michigan State Game Tonight: Michigan State vs Illinois Line, Predictions, Odds, & TV Channel for College Basketball Jan. 25
By Joe Summers
Michigan State vs Illinois Odds: Line, Spread, Over/Under
The #10 ranked Michigan State Spartans take on the #24 Illinois Fighting Illini tonight at 7:00 PM EST. WynnBET has the Spartans as 4.5-point underdogs and +170 on the moneyline ($10 to win $17) while the over/under is set at 142.5.
The Spartans come in hot, winning nine of their last ten games while Illinois is looking to snap a two-game losing streak. Where can bettors look for value tonight?
Michigan State vs Illinois Prediction Tonight
Despite being just 10-8 against the spread (ATS) overall, the Spartans are a perfect 4-0 ATS on the road, including an upset of Wisconsin their last time out. I like them to move that mark to 5-0 tonight.
These two teams match up similarly. They both boast a top-45 offense and defense in the country, per Bart Torvik, both are excellent at 2-point defense, both rebound well and both shoot at a high percentage beyond the arc.
However, Michigan State does have one key advantage. While Illinois has the 28th-best 3-point shooting offense, they’re a meager 141st in 3-point defense. That matches up poorly against a Spartan team that ranks 6th in 3-point shooting but defends the perimeter well with the 42nd-best 3-point defense.
Additionally, the status of Illinois star big man Kofi Cockburn looms large. He’s questionable to play, and as one of the leading candidates for the Naismith Men’s Player of the Year award, his absence would obviously matter quite a bit.
With #Illini center Kofi Cockburn questionable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Spartans, #MSU head coach Tom Izzo was asked about the significance of his availability.
— Marlee Wierda (@marleewierda) January 24, 2022
Izzo's response: "HAVE YOU SEEN HIM?!" pic.twitter.com/ffnNtbmyFS
Even if Cockburn plays, I like Michigan State to cover the spread and think they can win. But if he doesn’t then I struggle to see how Illinois can keep up.
With that in mind, bettors need to jump on this Michigan State +4.5 spread and +170 moneyline odds quickly. If Cockburn is ruled out, those numbers are going to drop. I’m all over Michigan State to continue their excellent road play and as bettors it’s important to get the best possible number.
Hurry over to WynnBET and place your bet now before the line has a chance to move.
What Channel is the Michigan State Game On?
Michigan State vs Illinois will be broadcast on ESPN at 7:00 PM EST.