ASSEMBLY HALL -- CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012, 7:00 PM EST
TV: ESPN
ONLINE RADIO FEED: Spartan Sports Network
Y'know, I could really do without these long spaces between games. I'm sure the breaks help MSU improve, but what am I supposed to do to entertain myself? Read? Volunteer? Pssh. This game is against an Illinois team that has been near unbeatable at home, losing only to Wisconsin, and near doormat-status in true road games; their only win is at Northwestern by 1.
It always seems like some Illini player blows up against MSU, but luckily Brandon Paul got his out of the way early. If I had to guess one plaer to go off against the Spartans, I'd pick Joesph Bertrand. I think Nix and Payne both have the size and athleticism to contain Meyers Leonard on the inside, where Illinois is at its most efficient (51.6 2PT%). If the Spartans can make the Illini shoot threes, that may be promising as Illinois has only made 31.9% of its long range shots this season.
One more thing -- The Spartan Radio Network is reporting that bot Draymond Green and Brandon Wood have the flu, meaning increased playing time for Brandan Kearney, Russell Byrd, and possibly Travis Trice if he can go. If you needed a cause for trepidation, there it is.
This is the game thread. You know what to do -- no links to illegal game threads, no slurs, and be cool to one another. Enjoy the game everyone.
GO GREEN, GO WHITE, BEAT ILLINOIS.