In a game that has big implications on the Big Ten regular-season title race, Illinois looks to get a big road win over current first-place team, Michigan State.
TV schedule: Sunday, January 19th, noon ET. CBS
Arena: Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan
The Big Ten has offered plenty of surprises to this point. But the biggest surprise may be who is at first in the standings and currently without a defeat in league play. After being picked to finish in the middle of the conference, Michigan State (15-2, 6-0) has won its last 10 games, coming off a 90-85 home win over Penn State.
Continuing the theme of anyone being the star on a given night for the Spartans, it was Frankie Fidler who led the way with 18 points and four steals off the bench. Jaden Akins had 16 points and six rebounds, while the bench overall combined for half of the total point outlook in the shootout win.
On the season, Michigan State only has one double-digit scorer (Akins at 14.2 ppg) but have seven others producing between 6-10 ppg. However, it’s the defense that has carried them to this point, ranking them in the top-tier in most categories. After Michigan’s loss at Minnesota on Thursday, this is the chance for the Spartans to occupy first place on their own for a while.
Their opponent on Sunday is Illinois (13-4, 5-2), arguably the most potent team in the Big Ten. After a surprise home loss to USC, the Illini bounced back to blow out Indiana on the road, 94-69. Kylan Boswell led the team with 22 points, while Kasparas Jakucionis went for 21 points and five assists. Big man Tomislav Ivisic chipped in with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Illinois is good on both ends but what makes them a potential Final Four contender is how explosive them can be on offense. They have five double-digit scorers, led by Jakucionis with 16.7 ppg and 5.4 apg. His matchup against the Spartans’ perimeter defenders such as Jeremy Fears and Tre Holloman will be key to watch.
If Illinois loses this game, they’ll be three games behind Michigan State in the Big Ten standings and it’s going to be hard to see how they can climb out of that hole. But with this one being in East Lansing, it’s a hard task to have them winning on Sunday. Yet, with how crazy the conference has been to date, at some point, the Spartans will drop one. Look for it to happen on Sunday.
Prediction: Illinois 76, Michigan State 70