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A pair of Big Ten programs take the floor in search of a victory as they collide in the Great Lakes State. The #10 Illinois Fighting Illini are on the road as they travel to take on the Michigan State Spartans Saturday afternoon. Illinois edged Nebraska 87-84 in overtime at home Sunday in their previous contest, though they failed to cover the line as a 10-point favorite. Michigan State was beaten 59-56 on the road by Minnesota in their previous contest Tuesday night, losing outright as a 3.5-point favorite. In the all-time series between the teams, each team has recorded 64 victories though the Fighting Illini have won the last four matchups. That includes a 71-68 home win in the first meeting this season on January 10.
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Illinois won their third straight game as they managed to hold off Nebraska in overtime at home in their previous game. The Fighting Illini ran their record to 17-5 overall and stand 8-3 in the Big Ten, leaving them second in the conference, 1.5 games behind Purdue for the top spot. Against Nebraska, Illinois trailed by as many as seven in the first half but cut the margin to two at the half. The Fighting Illini opened the second half with a 13-4 run to lead by seven early and held a 10-point lead with 3:29 to play in regulation. Illinois gave up an 11-1 run to close regulation and send the game to overtime. In the overtime, the Fighting Illini scored five straight points to take a 79-75 lead and held on the rest of the way. Illinois shot 41.4% from the field, including nine of 34 from three-point range, and controlled the boards by a 50-33 margin. Coleman Hawkins led the Fighting Illini with 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists in th e win.
Had the defense fooled.#Illini | #HTTO | #EveryDayGuys pic.twitter.com/igQawpN3Ob
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) February 5, 2024
The Fighting Illini puts up an average of 82.5 points per game on the season, which puts them 25th in the nation in scoring offense. Illinois collects 43.2 rebounds per contest (4th in the nation) while handing out 13 assists per game. The Fighting Illini is above average defensively, ranking 117th in the nation by allowing 69.6 points per game. Terrence Shannon Jr. leads the team with an average of 20 points plus 4.1 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game this season. Coleman Hawkins (12 points, 6.4 rebounds), Quincy Guerrier (11 points, 7.5 rebounds) and Marcus Domask (15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists) provide solid secondary scoring options. Ty Rodgers, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, Niccolo Moretti, Dain Dainja, Luke Goode, Amani Hansberry and Justin Harmon are other contributors for coach Brad Underwood. Illinois shoots 46.1% from the floor as a team. The Fighting Illini connects on 8.4 three-pointers a game while shooti ng 33.9% from long range. Illinois is average at the free throw line this season as they convert 72.3% of their opportunities, putting them 148th in the nation.
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