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Michigan State Spartans vs Illinois Fighting Illini 2/19/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

Illinois Fighting Illini (18-7) vs. Michigan State Spartans (18-7)
February 19, 2022 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Michigan State Spartans 0 / Illinois Fighting Illini 0; Over/Under: 141
(Get latest betting odds)

The 12th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini will travel to the Breslin Center to take on the 19th ranked Michigan State Spartans this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The 12th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini dropped to 18-7 on the season after being defeated by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 70-59, this past Wednesday. Illinois struggled on the offensive end against the tough Rutgers defense on the road and could not fight back after the Scarlet Knights took a 47-28 lead with 13:14 left in regulation. Illinois shot 37.9% from the field & 26.1% from beyond the arc while allowing Rutgers to shoot 47.5% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Fighting Illini was Kofi Cockburn who had a double-double with 20 points & 10 rebounds.

On the season, Illinois is averaging 75.9 ppg on 45.6% shooting from the field. The Fighting Illini are averaging 9.2 three-pointers per game on 36.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Illinois has been led by Kofi Cockburn (21.4 ppg, 11.3 rpg), Alfonso Plummer (14.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg), Trent Frazier (12.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 40 apg, 1.4 spg), & Jacob Grandison (9.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.3 apg).

Defensively, Illinois is allowing their opponents to an average of 66.4 ppg on 40.4% shooting from the field. The Fighting Illini have a rebound margin of 7.4 and a turnover margin of -2.0.

The 19th ranked Michigan State Spartans dropped to 18-7 on the season after being defeated by the Penn State Nittany Lions, 62-58, this past Tuesday. Michigan State led by a 41-29 margin early in the 2nd half, however, the Spartans offense struggled down the stretch and could not fight back after an 8-0 Nittany Lions run gave Penn State a 58-54 lead with :35 seconds left in regulation. Michigan State shot 41.8% from the field & 31.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Penn State to shoot 39.3% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Spartans was Julius Marble II who had 14 points, 8 rebounds, & 2 blocks.

On the season, Michigan State is averaging 72.7 ppg on 45.9% shooting from the field. The Spartans are averaging 7.2 three-pointers per game on 38.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Michigan State has been led by Gabe Brown (12.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.0 apg), Malik Hall (10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.2 apg), Max Christie (9.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg), & Tyson Walker (7.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, Michigan State is holding their opponents to an average of 66.1 ppg on 40.3% shooting from the field. The Spartans have a rebound margin of 6.0 and a turnover margin of -3.2.

The Fighting Illini are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss & 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Spartans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss, however, are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Illinois has just a 5-4 record on the road, however, they have the best player on the court in Kofi Cockburn and have been solid on both ends of the court, ranking 68th in scoring offense, 97th in FG%, & 41st in defensive FG%. Michigan State has been solid at home, however, the Spartans have struggled as of late, losing 4 of their last 7 games, and as I think Illinois will have similar defensive success as they did in their 56-55 victory earlier this season, I’m taking Illinois to pick up a victory here and win this pick-em. Good Luck!

Brett Nault's Free Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini - Pick-Em

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Brett Nault

Brett has been involved with sports his entire life, whether playing them or betting on them, and loves using his education in data analytics to break down all matchups to get you a competitive edge. Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05

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