The Sharps like to look extra hard at home dogs. We also like to find quality teams with their "backs to the wall" and I think we have found that situation tonight in Champaign. Michigan State comes into this game at 16-1 and ranked fourth in the country. Illinois has been struggling and they come into tonight's game trying to avoid a fourth straight loss. The most painful may have been last week's home loss to Purdue. Illinois is 18-10 against the spread versus the Spartans since 1997 and 10-3 against the spread versus Michigan State at home since 1997. The Spartans have had very little luck in Champaign in recent years. The last time these two met one year ago, the Spartans turned in their worst shooting performance under Izzo, shooting 24.1 percent in a 42-41 loss. Michigan State comes into this game with Adreian Payne questionable and it sounds like he may not play tonight, which will help Illinois on the interior. Regardless of Payne's status, we are backing the home dog here with their backs to the wall. Illinois HC John Groce has a knack for getting the most out of his teams and we expect a motivated performance tonight. The Sharps say...
3 UNITS - ILLINOIS (+4)