Illinois Manhandled by Michigan State, 87-74
By Jeff Mayfield

[January 23, 2018]  The stage was set. Everything was in place for the Illini to pull off the upset and garner their first win of the season. But then the game started. And it didn’t take long to see the quality of their opponent.

They were facing not only a Michigan State team but one of the better Spartan teams I have ever seen in Champaign. How good you ask? Perhaps as good as they have ever brought into this building and that’s saying a lot. A team that was recently ranked the #1 team in the nation [currently 6th in one poll and 9th in another].

Other than the final score, which actually ended up closer than the final margin indicated, you only need a couple of statistics to realize how dominant MSU really was. First, they shot 68% from the field. That’s not just good that’s the best any visiting team has ever shot in the history of this building and the best MSU has shot since 2004.

And if that’s not enough, MSU had a commanding edge on the boards 37-15 and it never felt like the Illini were even that close. It felt more like a lopsided street fight where the Illini never had a chance. Illinois did hang around for the first 12 minutes or so, but after that they never seriously threatened.

There were a couple of bright spots. Kipper Nichols scored a career-high 27 points and the Illini did force an uncharacteristic 25 Spartan turnovers, their season high and most in 13 years but they couldn’t take advantage of the effort. And no matter how much talent MSU brought to the court the Illini never quit. Those were the bright spots.

So, MSU got the emphatic win and Illinois took yet another loss. However, don’t be surprised if you see this MSU contingent later in the season at the Final Four in San Antonio.

Next up for the Illini is a home date with the Indiana Hoosiers Wednesday night at 8pm.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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