WATCH: Highlights from MSU basketball’s win over Illinois on Saturday

Check out some of the best highlights from the Spartans’ win over Illinois on Saturday

Michigan State basketball picked up a big-time win over Illinois on Saturday to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume.

The Spartans rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half to top the Fighting Illini, 88-80, from the Breslin Center. With the win, Michigan State improved to 15-9 overall and 7-6 in conference play.

Check out some of the best highlights from the Spartans’ win over Illinois on Saturday below:

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Michigan State basketball uses late rally to beat top ten Illinois

Michigan State basketball picked up a MASSIVE win on Saturday afternoon

Michigan State basketball leaned on its seniors to complete a second-half comeback and earn a much-needed victory over top-10 foe Illinois on Saturday afternoon.

Michigan State rallied in the final eight minutes of the game to overcome an eight-point deficit and top Illinois, 88-80, at the Breslin Center. The Spartans were led by strong performances from its three senior leaders who combined for 66 points in the win.

The first half was back-and-forth with both teams going on significant runs. Illinois used a 14-3 run to build a seven-point lead but Michigan State would respond with a 10-0 run of its own to regain the lead before the break. The Spartans led 44-41 at halftime.

The second half mirrored the opening frame with the game remaining tight deep into the second half. However, Illinois used a 12-2 run to build its biggest lead of the game and hold a 72-64 advantage with 7:58 to go in the game. However, from there Michigan State responded by outscoring the Fighting Illini 24-to-8 to end the game and earn the victory.

Michigan State was led in scoring by AJ Hoggard with 23 points but Malik Hall (22 points) and Tyson Walker (19 points) were right behind him. Michigan State also got 10 points from Jaden Akins in the victory.

With the win, Michigan State improves to 15-9 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play. This is a massive victory for the Spartans in their effort to return to the NCAA Tournament and extend their impressive tournament streak.

Michigan State will be back on the floor on Wednesday in a road game at Penn State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on Big Ten Network.

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MSU basketball opens as home favorite over Illinois on Saturday

The experts in Las Vegas think Michigan State basketball will pick up a massive home win on Saturday

The experts in Las Vegas think Michigan State basketball will pick up a massive home win on Saturday.

Michigan State basketball has opened as a 2.5-point favorite over Illinois in Saturday’s matchup from the Breslin Center. Odds courtesy of FanDuel.

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The Spartans come into this matchup sitting at 14-9 overall and 6-6 in conference play. Illinois is in a better spot at 17-5 overall and 8-3 in Big Ten games.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and will be nationally televised on CBS.

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Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

MSU Basketball vs. Illinois: LSJ’s Graham Couch provides his determining factors, prediction

Check out LSJ columnist Graham Couch’s prediction for this matchup between Michigan State and Illinois

The Breslin Center will be the place to be on Saturday afternoon for a big-time matchup between Michigan State and Illinois.

The Spartans will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss at Minnesota earlier this week. Michigan State enters this game with a 14-9 overall record and a 6-6 mark in league play.

Illinois has been off all week and had six days of preparation for this matchup. The Fighting Illini are 17-5 overall and 8-3 in Big Ten play this year.

Every game, Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal provides his breakdown of the matchup with key determining factors and a prediction. So how does he feel about this matchup between the Spartans and Fighting Illini?

Check out Couch’s prediction for this matchup between Michigan State and Illinois by clicking on the tweet below:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

MSU Basketball vs. Illinois: Stream, broadcast info, prediction for Saturday

Check out all of the key game details for this matchup between the Spartans and Fighting Illini

Can Michigan State respond from a disappointing loss earlier this week and earn a marquee win to bolster its NCAA tournament resume?

The Spartans will host Illinois on Saturday afternoon in a nationally televised matchup on CBS. Michigan State comes into this game off a three-point loss at Minnesota earlier this week.

Michigan State currently sits at 14-9 overall and 6-6 in Big Ten play, with about a month left in the regular season. Illinois is 17-5 overall and in contention for the Big Ten title with an 8-3 mark in conference play.

Can Michigan State bounce back to get the much-needed victory over Illinois? Check out my prediction and all of the key game details for this matchup between the Spartans and Fighting Illini below:

Gallery: Best photos from MSU basketball close loss at Illinois on Thursday

Check out some of the best photos from MSU basketball’s tough loss at Illinois on Thursday

The Spartans again failed to come up with a win in the final minutes of a close game.

Michigan State fell at Illinois on Thursday, 71-68, to drop to 9-7 overall and 1-4 in Big Ten play. The Spartans trailed for most of the game before taking a six-point lead halfway through the second half. However, Illinois went on a run to regain the lead, which they would never surrender.

Michigan State will return to the court on Sunday in a home matchup against Rutgers. Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.

Check out some of the best photos from Michigan State basketball’s matchup against Illinois on Thursday night:

MSU Basketball at Illinois: LSJ’s Graham Couch provides his determining factors, prediction

Check out LSJ columnist Graham Couch’s prediction for this matchup between Michigan State and Illinois

Michigan State basketball heads to Illinois on Thursday night looking to earn a marquee road win.

The Spartans are 0-2 in their only two road games this year and will need to play well to upset top 10 Illinois. Michigan State enters this game with a 9-6 overall record and 1-3 mark in conference play, while Illinois is 11-3 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten games.

Every game, Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal provides his breakdown of the matchup with key determining factors and a prediction. So how does he feel about this matchup between the Spartans and Fighting Illini?

Check out Couch’s prediction for this matchup between Michigan State and Illinois by clicking on the tweet below:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

MSU Basketball at Illinois: Stream, broadcast info, prediction for Thursday

Check out all of the key game details for this matchup between the Spartans and Fighting Illini

Michigan State will hit the road again for a major conference battle at top 10 Illinois on Thursday night.

The Spartans enter this matchup looking to get back to winning after their modest five-game winning streak was snapped by Northwestern on Sunday evening. Michigan State is 9-6 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play this year, and needs a win over the Fighting Illini badly here.

Illinois is also looking to bounce back after a narrow loss at Purdue last Friday. The Fighting Illini have gotten off to a great start to this year, and sit at 11-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Can Michigan State bounce back from Sunday’s tough loss at Northwestern with an upset of Illinois? Check out my prediction and all of the key game details for this matchup between the Spartans and Fighting Illini below:

Michigan State basketball at Illinois: Stream, broadcast info, three things to watch, prediction

MSU basketball heads to Illinois on Friday night for a big-time conference battle– here’s what you need to know for this matchup between the Spartans and Fighting Illini

Michigan State basketball heads to Illinois for a big-time conference showdown on Friday night, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

The Spartans enter this game with wins in each of their last seven games, including a thrilling come-from-behind victory at Wisconsin earlier this week. Michigan State is 12-4 on the season and tied for first place in the Big Ten at 4-1 in league play.

Illinois has been inconsistent for most of this season but appears to have found themselves recently. The Fighting Illini have picked up back-to-back victories for the first time since late November, knocking off Wisconsin and Nebraska in the past week. Illinois is 11-5 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play so far this season.

Michigan State listed as home underdog vs. Illinois on Saturday

For the first time this season Michigan State will be an underdog on their home floor

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For the first time this season Michigan State will be an underdog on their home floor.

The Spartans enter Saturday’s matchup against Illinois as a 1.5-point underdog. All Betting Lines are Courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook.

Michigan State enters this game in the midst of a tough stretch, where they’ve dropped three of their last four games. That includes blowing a 14-point second-half lead against Penn State earlier this week.

Illinois also is looking to bounce back from a mid-week loss after Rutgers got the best of them on Wednesday. Illinois still remains tied for first place in the Big Ten despite that loss, and will need a win over the Spartans to remain at the top of the league.

Tipoff from the Breslin Center is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ESPN.

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