MSU-Illinois Prediction, Matchup Analysis from LSJ's Graham Couch

MSU-Illinois Prediction, Matchup Analysis from LSJ’s Graham Couch

Posted by author February 15, 2025 Sports

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Can Michigan State basketball respond from its worst loss of the season in a big-time road matchup Saturday night? That’s a question many are trying to answer, including Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal.

The Spartans travel to Illinois on Saturday night, looking to break out of a recent rough stretch of games. Michigan State lost a stunner as a double-digit home favorite against Indiana earlier this week, and has lost three of its last four games. The Spartans are 19-5 overall and 10-3 in Big Ten play.

Illinois is starting to play more like the Big Ten title contenders we expected earlier this year. The Fighting Illini have won three of their four games in February, which included an impressive win over hot UCLA earlier this week. Illinois is 17-8 overall and 9-6 in Big Ten play this year.

Michigan State knocked off Illinois in their first meeting earlier this year at the Breslin Center.

Michigan State is listed as a sizable underdog in this matchup. The Spartans will need a victory to keep up with Purdue and Michigan for the Big Ten regular season title. A loss, will make it extremely tough for the Spartans to win at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title.

Couch is back again to offer his thoughts on this matchup between Michigan State and Illinois. Click here to see how Couch believes this game will play out and who he has winning in the end.

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