
Michigan State vs Illinois Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks Today
Illinois (13-4) vs. Michigan State (15-2)
January 19, 2025 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Michigan State -3; Over/Under: 156
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Michigan State vs Illinois Prediction for this college basketball game on Sunday, January 19th, at the Breslin Center. Let’s take a look at a Michigan State Spartans vs Illinois Fighting Illini Pick.
Illinois Dominated the Last Game
Illinois has been a bit inconsistent the last couple of weeks but they are coming off a big victory in the last game. Illinois scored 94 points against Indiana while the defense gave up 69 points and that was enough for the win. Kylan Boswell had a strong game putting up 22 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. There were three different players that put up at least 17 points. Two games ago against USC, the offense scored 72 points, but the defense gave up 82 points.
Illinois is averaging 87.3 points per game while their defense is giving up 67.3 points per game. The offense is ranked 5th in the league while the defense is ranked 68 in the league. They are averaging 65.29 field goals attempted per game which is 7th best in the league. Kasparas Jakucionis is averaging 16.7 points while shooting 50 percent from the field. Illinois will meet Maryland and Northwestern after this game.
Michigan State Just Keeps Winning
Michigan State just keeps winning games and they have a whole lot of confidence heading into this game. In the last game, Michigan State faced off against Penn State and they scored 90 points on the way to the victory. Michigan State shot 47.1 percent from the field but they still only shot 26.1 percent from behind the three-point line. Jaden Akins had a huge game putting up 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Michigan State is averaging 81.8 points while their defense is giving up 67.1 points per game. The offense is ranked 40th in the league while the defense is ranked 64th. They are averaging 47.79 from the field which is 53rd in the league. Jaden Akins has been the top player for Michigan State, averaging 14.2 points while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 29.9 percent from behind the three-point line.
Why Michigan State Will Beat Illinois
- Michigan State has won each of its last 10 games.
- Illinois has lost four of its last five day games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Illinois has lost the first half in three of its last four games against AP-ranked opponents at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Michigan State vs Illinois Prediction
The big question in this game is which Illinois team going to show up. Will it be the Illinois game that won the last game or the team two games ago that lost by 10 points to USC? I expect it to be a little more like that team against USC. Michigan State is averaging 81. 8 points and they are going to have no issue running up the score. Illinois will have no answer and Michigan State will end up covering the spread.