It will be a battle between Big 10 opponents when the Illinois Fighting Illini (7-15, 3-8 Big 10) welcome the No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (18-4, 9-2 Big 10) to the State Farm Center. The game will air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.
Michigan State Spartans at Illinois Fighting Illini ATS Prediction
In the Spartans’ last matchup, they were topped by the No. 25 Indiana Hoosiers, 79-75. Indiana’s 0.181 free throw rate was their largest strength over Michigan State, who had a rate of 0.125. The Hoosiers’ mark was below their season average of 0.236, while the Spartans’ was below their season average of 0.258. Cassius Winston was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points on 9-for-22 shooting.
The Fighting Illini beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their last outing, 71-64. Illinois was 8-20 on three pointers (40.0 percent). Nebraska, meanwhile, was just 3-23 (13.0 percent). Kipper Nichols was Illinois’ leading scorer with 18 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the field.
The offense of Illinois (248th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 102.2) will battle against the stingy defense of Michigan State (41st in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 95.2). The Spartans should have the advantage on that side of the ball. Moreover, the Spartans, who rank 25th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.5 percent), will go head-to-head against the Fighting Illini, who rank 309th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.2 percent).
After the Spartans won both contests against the Fighting Illini last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last contest, Michigan State won 81-61. The Spartans had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.578 vs. 0.385) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 17.5).
Michigan State Spartans at Illinois Fighting Illini ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Illinois, ATS Winner – Illinois, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Michigan State ranks third in rebounds per game (42.8) while Illinois ranks 254th (33.1).
The Spartans rank third in blocks per game (6.1) while the Fighting Illini rank 177th (2.3).
Illinois ranks 20th in three pointers allowed per game (18.6) while Michigan State ranks 179th (23.4).
The Fighting Illini rank 41st in steals per game (7.8) while the Spartans rank 167th (5.6).
Michigan State ranks first in assists per game (20.1) while Illinois ranks 127th in assists allowed per game (13.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Spartans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.2, down from 15.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Fighting Illini have scored an average of 71.0 points per game (2.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.8 points per game (1.9 above their season average).
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