+2
Illinois defeated MSU 42-41 on Tuesday.
Illinois could use another upset over a top 10 team at home, especially since in this case it would snap a three-game losing streak, and so far they've done a nice job at the defensive end against the Spartans and hold a slim 22-20 halftime lead.
Related: Illinois Vs Michigan State Preview: Illini Look To End Losing Streak
Although the Illini shot just 36% in the half, they might have a larger lead were it not for the double digit offensive boards they allowed the ice-cold Spartans to grab; Michigan State hit just seven of 31 field goal attempts (22.6%).
D.J. Richardson leads Illinois with seven points, and Brandon Paul has five. Branden Dawson has eight points to lead Michigan State.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this matchup, head over to Illinois blog Hail to the Orange . For more from around college hoops, visit SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.
A few weeks ago the Illinois Fighting Illini were in first-place in the Big 10 conference and were one of the biggest surprises in all of college basketball. Illinois has now dropped three games in a row and are now just 4-4 in conference.
Tuesday the Illini (15-6, 4-4) welcome the 9th ranked Michigan State Spartans (17-4, 6-2) to Assembly Hall. The Spartans have won their last two games after falling earlier in the month to Michigan and Northwestern.
Michigan State is led in by Draymond Green with 15.3 points and 10.4 rebounds. The Illini are led by junior Brandon Paul who comes in averaging 14.6 points per game.
The last 13 times the Illini and Spartans have met have been decided by 10 points or less. Illinois is looking to win their third straight against the Spartans at Assembly Hall.
Tuesday's game is scheduled to tip at 6:00 and will be televised on ESPN.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this matchup, head over to Illinois blog Hail to the Orange . For more from around college hoops, visit SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.
Illinois Vs. Michigan State Final Score: Illini Defeat MSU 42-41 At Home
"I have run out of ways to say no good."
These are the words of ESPN announcer Mike Tirico late in the second half during the Illinois' upset victory over No. 10 Michigan State 42-41 at Assembly Hall, and he wasn't being overly dramatic. Illinois' victory is huge for the team's tournament chances, but it certainly wasn't pretty. The Illini shot just 15-of-46 (32 percent) from the field, but Michigan State (14-of-58 for 24 percent) was even worse. The game might have been hard to watch, but Illinois will obviously take the victory, which propels Bruce Weber's crew to 16-6 overall and 5-4 in the Big 10.
Brandon Paul turned it on in the second half and willed Illinois to the victory. As the only Illini player to reach double-figures scoring, Paul put up 18 points (on 6-of-17 shooting). nine rebounds, and five assists. Fellow junior guard D.J. Richardson scored nine. The two players combined to go 2-for-12 on three-point attempts. As a team, the Illini shot just 17 percent from downtown. Star center Meyers Leonard scored just four points.
Freshman wing Branden Dawson starred for the Spartans, scoring a team-high 12 points and finishing with 13 rebounds.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this matchup, head over to Illinois blog Hail to the Orange . For more from around college hoops, visit SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.
Jan 31 8:37p by Ricky O'Donnell