Fighting Illini vs. Spartans Prediction
The Illinois Fighting Illini have a challenge tonight as they are on the road at the only unbeaten team left in Big Ten Conference play in the 14th-ranked Michigan State Spartans. Can Illinois stay within the number as underdogs?
Game Snapshot
649 Illinois Fighting Illini at 650 Michigan State State Spartans
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Breslin Center at 8PM ET
TV: FS1
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According to oddsmakers, the Spartans are a 10.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 147 points. As of Thursday morning, 83 percent of public bets are pouring in on visiting Illinois. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Illini race past Aggies
Illinois cruised to a 95-64 home victory Sunday over Carolina AT&T to improve to 9-4 overall and 8-1 on the road. The Fighting Illini led 50-34 at halftime en route to the win. Kofi Cockburn scored a career-best 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting plus 4-of-7 at the free throw line to lead the way. He also accounted for nine rebounds and two blocked shots. Ayo Dosunmu added 19 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals.
Spartans blast Broncos
Michigan State cruised to a 95-62 home win Sunday night over Western Michigan to move to 10-3 overall and 5-1 at home. Foster Loyer paced the Spartans with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting including 4-of-4 from 3-point distance plus 2-of-2 at the charity stripe. He also tallied six assists and three rebounds. Xavier Tillman accounted for 15 points, 11 boards, three dimes and three blocked shots. Aaron Henry tallied 15 points, five assists and three caroms. Kyle Ahrens added 12 points and three rebounds off the bench. Michigan State led 48-24 at halftime on its way to the triumph.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Illinois
The Illini are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games overall. Illnois is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games overall.
Michigan State
The Spartans are 43-20-1 ATS in their last 64 Thursday games. Michigan State is 1-4 ATS in its last five games following an ATS win.
Prediction:
The Spartans have beaten up on some weaker foes lately but also had a victory at the start of the stretch over a decent Rutgers squad at home. The Illini have struggled some away from home and I see them faltering down the stretch against a deep MSU squad that is gearing up for the rigors of the Big Ten schedule. I am projecting another impressive win here for the Spartans as they cover the double-digit spread.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS -10.5