Michigan State hands Illinois another painful loss
Surprisingly, Las Vegas called the Big Ten Conference basketball game between Illinois and No. 17 Michigan State a pick 'em. The Illini are going nowhere in a season filled with heartbreak and frustration. At the same time, Michigan State is a possible top 5 seed in the NCAA tournament.
The Spartans have some issues while playing on the road, but they answered some of those questions Thursday in a 59-51 victory at Assembly Hall.
After Illinois jumped to a 21-11 lead thanks to 10-for-14 shooting from the field, Michigan State methodically trimmed the lead and grabbed control in the second half to hand Illinois another loss in a season filled with them.
Illinois fell to 12-18 overall, tying a school record, and 4-13 in the Big Ten. The loss assured the Illini the No. 10 seed heading into the Big Ten tournament next week at Indianapolis.
The Illini host Minnesota on Saturday (noon, Big Ten Network) on Senior Day. The Illini already defeated the Gophers 84-60 in February. While the rest of this season is all about getting something going for next season, the Illini still haven't been able to string together back-to-back conference victories.
After falling to 0-8 this season against top 25 opponents, Illinois failed to beat any of the league's Big Four -- Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue and Michigan State.
Illinois senior Brian Randle returned from a dislocated shoulder suffered in the loss to Wisconsin on Feb. 20. Randle's injury was first thought to be a season-ender, but he logged 10 minutes and scored seven points against the Spartans.
Illinois senior center Shaun Pruitt scored a team-high 13 after scoring 11 in the first half.
The Spartans (24-6, 12-5) won for just the sixth time in 24 Big Ten road games in the last three seasons. The Spartans are 3-5 on the road in the Big Ten this winter.
Once again, the Illini played with heart but didn't have enough get over the hump against a Big Ten opponent. Michigan State scored the first seven points in the second half for a 38-31 lead, then never trailed again.
Center Drew Naymick hit two shots and guard Drew Neitzel added a 3-pointer to start scoring in the second half. After an Illini basket, Michigan State expanded the lead to 42-34 to gain the upper hand.
Neitzel led the Spartans with 17 points.
The Illini were 9-for-19 from the free-throw line while the Spartans hit 10-for-11.
Sitting in the bleachers next to redshirting guard Jamar Smith, Lee College sophomore power forward Dominique Keller made an official recruiting visit to Illinois. Keller is a 6-foot-7, 235-pounder who made no other official visits before the trip here.
Playing on a team that finished with a losing record, Keller averaged 25 points and nine rebounds while playing predominantly inside.
Keller will remain on campus through the Minnesota game before returning from Texas. He has a scholarship offer from the Illini.
Mississippi State, Mississippi, Oregon State and Oklahoma State have also apparently made scholarship offers to Keller. Kentucky has also shown some interest.
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.