Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview/Prop Pick

There is a loaded slate of college basketball games on Saturday, including a massive game in the Big Ten Conference. The Michigan State Spartans host the Illinois Fighting Illini, and this game will impact the conference standings.

Illinois comes into this game with an overall record of 18-7, and they have gone 11-4 in conference action. The Fighting Illini have lost two of their last three games, and they are now trailing Purdue in the standings.

Michigan State is also 18-7 overall, but they are just 9-5 in Big Ten Conference games. The Spartans can still make a run at winning a title, but they are going to have to take care of business on Saturday to begin a run. 

The Illinois Fighting Illini are slim 1.5-point betting favorites over the Michigan State Spartans.

Cockburn Carrying Fighting Illini

Ayo Dosunmu led the Fighting Illini a season ago, but this year it is all about Kofi Cockburn. The massive center is averaging a double-double this season, and he is capable of scoring 30 points in a game with very little effort. 

Alfonso Plummer and Trent Frazier are two very important pieces for this Illinois team as they will have to make shots. When the Fighting Illini are shooting the ball well, then they are nearly impossible to deal with. 

Illinois has also been a solid defensive team this season, but that hasn't been the case of late. The Fighting Illini must find a way to box out and finish possessions to keep the Spartans from having a big offensive game.

Spartans Have to Make Shots

Michigan State is going to have to shoot the ball well if they are going to pull off this slight upset. The Spartans are usually able to score inside the paint, but you can't always count on them to make a bunch of shots from the perimeter.

Gabe Brown leads the team with 12.1 points, and Marcus Bingham Jr. has recorded over six rebounds per game. Both of those men are going to have to have big nights for the Spartans if they are going to upset the Fighting Illini.

Rebounding and defense continue to be a staple of this program, and they will be ready to get after it at home on Saturday. 

Spartans Too Tough at Home

Illinois and Michigan State have been two of the best Big Ten programs over the last two decades, and this game always seems to be a battle. The Fighting Illini have the best player on the floor, but Michigan State is always a team loaded with toughness.

Illinois is going to get another solid performance from Cockburn, but Michigan State is going to lock down the rest of their shooters. There are still some questions about the Spartans' offense as well, but they will find enough scoring in this game.

Don't expect this to be a high-scoring affair, and it will be tight until the final minute. Michigan State is going to win this game, and they are the right betting pick.

Prop Pick

Michigan State (-105) OVER 68.5 Points

Michigan State is averaging 72.7 points per game on offense. That average increases to 76.8 points per game at home. Scores have gone OVER in seven of the Spartans’ last eight Saturday games.

With Dunkel predicting a Michigan State win by the score of 76-69, take the Spartans (-105) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 68.5 points against the Fighting Illini.

Be sure to check out all of our NCAAB picks!