Big Ten Showdown; No. 11 Michigan State Spartans vs Illinois Fighting Illini

2025-03-02

The No. 11 Michigan State Spartans (19-5, 10-3 Big Ten) will face the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-8, 9-6 Big Ten) in a crucial Big Ten matchup on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. The game, set to tip off at 8 p.m. ET, will be a rematch of their earlier meeting this season, where Michigan State narrowly defeated Illinois 80-78 on January 19.

Michigan State enters the game looking to rebound from a recent rough stretch, having lost three of their last four games, including a surprising 71-67 defeat to Indiana on February 11. Key players for the Spartans include senior guard Jaden Akins, who leads the team with 13.4 points per game, and freshman guard Jase Richardson, averaging 10.3 points and shooting 52% from the field. Despite their recent struggles, the Spartans remain in contention for the Big Ten regular season title and will need a strong performance to keep their hopes alive.

Illinois, on the other hand, has been in better form, winning three of their last four games, including an impressive 83-78 victory over UCLA. Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis has been a standout for the Illini, averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Sophomore center Tomislav Ivisic has also been a key contributor, leading the team with 8.5 rebounds per game.

The game is expected to be tightly contested, with Illinois favored by 6.5 points and the over/under set at 158.5 points. Both teams have significant stakes in the outcome, with Michigan State aiming to stay in the Big Ten title race and Illinois looking to solidify their position in the conference standings. Fans can catch the action live on Fubo.