Michigan State at Illinois College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/22/2018

Monday, January 22, 2018

State Farm Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Michigan State Spartans travel to State Farm Center to play the Illinois Fighting Illini on Monday, January 22, 2018. The opening line for this game has Michigan State as 11.5 point favorites.

Michigan State comes into this game with an overall record of 17-3. They currently have a point differential of 21.6 as they are averaging 85.2 points per game while giving up 63.7 per contest. Illinois has an overall record of 10-10. They are averaging 77.6 points per game and surrendering 72.1, good for a point differential of 5.5.

Valuable Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 12-8 against the spread this season

The Michigan State Spartans are 11-8 against the over/under this year

Important Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 7-8 against the spread this season

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 5-11 against the over/under this year

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

11/08/17 G Kyle Ahrens Foot is out indefinitely

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Miles Bridges averages 16.9 points per game while playing 29.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is at 88%. Nick Ward averages 14.5 points per game in 19.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.6 assists per contest and 7.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 70% for the year while his free throw percentage is 62%.

Player Spotlight

Leron Black averages 14.5 points per game while playing 25.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.5 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Trent Frazier averages 11 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 23.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 1.8 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 65%.

Useful Team Statistics

Michigan State averages 85.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 16th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 21.6 and their shooting percentage is 52% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 42%, which is good for 9th in the country. They average 42.6 rebounds per game and 21.2 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 134th with 13.9 per game. The Spartans allow 63.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in Division 1. They also allow a 35% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 134th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 30.8 rebounds a game which ranks 19th and they give up 11.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 70th place in college basketball. They force 11.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 49th in the nation.

Useful Team Statistics

Illinois is 97th in the country with 77.6 points per game this year. They are 226th in D-1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 5.5. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 316th in college basketball. They are 122nd in the nation in rebounding with 37.0 boards per game, and 160th in assists per contest with 14.1. The Fighting Illini are 69th in turnovers per game with 14.7. The Fighting Illini surrender 72.1 points per contest, which ranks them 174th in the country. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 228th and 65th in those defensive statistics. They rank 69th with 11.8 assists allowed per contest and 96th with 33.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Fighting Illini are 344th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 17.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Spartans are 5th in the nation in offensive rating with 120.5, and their defensive rating of 90 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 192nd in the country with 70.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 59% is 5th. As a team they are 5th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 62% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 205th in Division 1. Michigan State is 145th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 41%, which is 1st in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Illinois is 150th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 21.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 171st in Division 1. The Fighting Illini are 88th in the nation in defensive rating with 97.6, and their offensive rating of 105.1 is ranked 162nd. They are 72nd in D-1 in pace with 72.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 266th. As a unit they are 250th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 260th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Michigan State/Illinois college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Illinois +11.5

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