.jpg "Michigan-State-at-Illinois-(FS1)")
The Illinois Fighting Illini have yet to win a game in conference, but at least they have been competitive in their last two. They took Iowa to overtime and lost by just one point on the road to Nebraska earlier this week. However, now they face the toughest team in the Big Ten.
The Michigan State Spartans have been struggling to find their footing, and they are hungry for a win. Michigan State suffered stunning losses in two of its last three and needs to right the ship. That’s not good news for Illinois.
This war on the floor will go down Monday, January 22, 2018, at 9 p.m. ET at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. The game will be televised live on FS1. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Monday schedule.
Opening College Basketball Odds at BookMaker.eu
You could make an argument that few teams have been as unlucky as Illinois this season. The Fighting Illini might be 0-6 in conference, but three of those losses came in overtime, and two were by just one point. That’s why they are 3-2-1 ATS in the Big Ten.
Under has been a fantastic play in Illini games this year. Of Illinois’ 15 games, 10 have gone under the total. It has cashed in five of the team’s last seven as well.
Michigan State has had a really hard time covering the number in recent weeks. The Spartans have failed to cover in each of their last three games, and nearly lost all three. They lost outright as a medium-sized favorite to Michigan and Ohio State, and they needed overtime to get past lowly Rutgers.
At home, the Spartans have been able to light up the scoreboard. However, it’s been a different story away from East Lansing. Under is 5-2 in road and neutral site games for Michigan State this year.
Players to Watch
The Fighting Illini only have two players that have been efficient shooters from the floor.
Leron Black leads Illinois in scoring and has performed well in each of the last two games. Illinois has turned to the senior for production and he has delivered. Black is hitting 54 percent of his field goals and has been effective on the rare occasion he shoots from downtown too. He is hitting 44.4 percent of his threes.
Aaron Jordan is the other solid shooter on the Illini. He has been an impressive shooter for a guard, hitting 49.2 percent of his field goals, nearly doubling up his shooting percentage from last year. Jordan has been able to connect from range too, sinking 52.2 percent of his triples. However, he has been unable to score a single point in two of the last three, and that’s an issue.
Matchup to Watch
Miles Bridges and Nick Ward make up one of the best frontcourts in the nation. These two can battle with anyone and both could have a huge game against the Illini.
Illinois does not have good interior defenders. The Illini are allowing opponents to hit 50.4 percent on two-point field goals so far this season. This team only has one player taller than 6’6, and that can be an issue against this Spartans team.
The Spartans are one of the most efficient shooting teams in the country. They should have plenty of success against Illinois.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
We should see plenty of free throws for the Spartans in this one. Illinois is one of the most foul-prone teams in the nation, and Michigan State has the size to force them to draw contact.
The Spartans will be medium road favorites here. They will get the cover because of Bridges and Ward, putting two weeks of frustration in the rear-view mirror.
College Basketball Odds: Michigan State 84, Illinois 71
BookMaker.eu offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu!
