Illinois at Michigan State odds, picks and predictions
The No. 12 Illinois Fighting Illini (17-5, 8-3 Big Ten) and Michigan State Spartans (14-9, 6-6) meet Saturday. Tip-off from Breslin Center is set for 2 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Illinois vs. Michigan State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Illinois came away with an 87-84 OT win vs. the Nebraska Cornhuskers Sunday, failing to cover as a 10-point home favorite. Illinois allowed Nebraska to shoot 42.9% from 3, but was also able to win the rebounding battle 50-33 in the win. The Fighting Illini have now won 3 consecutive games and have scored more than 85 points in back-to-back games.
Michigan State suffered a 59-56 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers Tuesday while failing to cover as a 3.5-point road favorite. The Spartans lost both the rebounding and turnover battles vs. Minnesota. Tuesday's loss ended a short 2-game win streak for the Spartans.
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Illinois at Michigan State odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:35 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois +116 (bet $100 to win $116) | Michigan State -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois +2.5 (-110) | Michigan State -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Illinois at Michigan State picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 77, Michigan State 72
Moneyline
PASS.
I actually like the Fighting Illini (+116) to win as slight underdogs, but their odds are better ATS and I am not a fan of doubling down. Bet on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET ILLINOIS +2.5 (-110).
Illinois is 2-1 ATS in its last 2 meetings with Michigan State and 3-1 ATS in its last 4 road games. Illinois has also won 4 consecutive matchups vs. Michigan State and has been a very good team ATS this season at 12-8-2 on the year.
The Illini are the much better squad offensively, and these teams are very similar defensively when it comes to statistics, so Illinois' offensive advantage should carry the Illini to the win here.
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Over/Under
LEAN OVER 145.5 (-110).
The Over has hit in back-to-back games for the Illini and is 8-2 in their last 10 outings. The Over is also 14-8 for the Fighting Illini this season and has hit in 2 of the last 3 Illinois-Michigan State matchups.
This is only a lean because the Under has been safer for the Spartans this season and the O/U has been very even in recent meetings.
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