Michigan State Edges Illinois in Overtime Thriller
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Breslin Center
Michigan State Spartans 85, Illinois Fighting Illini 82, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan State Spartans?
Michigan State Spartans beat Illinois Fighting Illini 85-82 at Breslin Center on February 7, 2026.
Who was favored in Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan State Spartans?
Michigan State Spartans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -130 (about 57% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Michigan State Spartans narrowly defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 85-82 at the Breslin Center. This victory not only showcased the competitive spirit of both teams but also marked a significant moment in the NCAAB season, as both squads entered the game with identical records of 20-4.
Michigan State's recent form has been a mixed bag, as they entered the game with a 7-3 record over their last ten outings. However, they were struggling with a two-game losing streak, having lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Michigan Wolverines in their last two games. The Spartans averaged 76.4 points scored and allowed 63.6 points during this stretch, indicating a solid offensive performance but a defense that had shown vulnerabilities in recent matchups. At home, they boasted a record of 4-1, which included a dominant 91-48 win over the Maryland Terrapins, but they were also coming off a disappointing loss at home against Michigan.
On the other hand, the Fighting Illini were riding a remarkable wave of momentum, winning their last ten games, which included a recent 84-44 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats. Illinois averaged 79.9 points scored and allowed 65.5 points during this impressive stretch, demonstrating a potent offense coupled with a robust defense. Their away record was also flawless at 5-0, showcasing their ability to perform well on the road.
Historically, Michigan State had the upper hand in their recent meetings with Illinois, winning both encounters in the previous season. In their last matchup on February 16, 2025, Michigan State emerged victorious with a score of 79-65, and they also claimed an earlier victory on January 19, 2025, winning 80-78. This history added an intriguing layer to the rivalry as both teams took the court.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but any absence of key players could have impacted the dynamics of the game. Both teams were likely to have their star players on the floor, making for an exciting matchup.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Michigan State as a slight favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total points were set at 142.5, with odds of -115 for the over and -105 for the under. This indicated a competitive expectation for scoring, aligning with the offensive capabilities both teams had displayed in their recent performances.
The game conditions were favorable for a high-paced matchup, with both teams known for their ability to score efficiently. Fans were treated to a back-and-forth battle, with Michigan State ultimately pulling ahead in overtime. Key moments included crucial free throws from Jeremy Fears Jr., who played a pivotal role in sealing the victory for the Spartans. His performance at the free-throw line was critical as he made several key shots in the overtime period, contributing to Michigan State's final score.
As the game progressed, viewers were encouraged to watch for the strategic adjustments made by both coaches, particularly in overtime, where every possession counted. The intensity of the rivalry and the stakes of the game made for an electrifying atmosphere, culminating in Michigan State's hard-fought victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MSU -1.5 | 142.5 o -115 / u -105 | Illinois Fighting Illini +110 · Michigan State Spartans -130 |
Leaders
- PointsJeremy Fears Jr.26Michigan State Spartans
- AssistsJeremy Fears Jr.15Michigan State Spartans
- ReboundsJaxon Kohler15Michigan State Spartans
- PointsDavid Mirkovic18Illinois Fighting Illini
- AssistsDavid Mirkovic6Illinois Fighting Illini
- ReboundsZvonimir Ivisic8Illinois Fighting Illini
Recent form
Michigan State Spartans
Last 10: 7-3Streak L276.4 scored · 63.6 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L73-76at Minnesota Golden GophersFeb 5
- L71-83vs Michigan WolverinesJan 31
- W88-79at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsJan 27
- W91-48vs Maryland TerrapinsJan 24
- W68-52at Oregon DucksJan 21
- W80-63at Washington HuskiesJan 17
- W81-60vs Indiana HoosiersJan 14
- W76-66vs Northwestern WildcatsJan 8
- W80-51vs USC TrojansJan 6
- L56-58at Nebraska CornhuskersJan 3
Illinois Fighting Illini
Last 10: 10-0Streak W1079.9 scored · 65.5 allowed per game5-0 away
- W84-44vs Northwestern WildcatsFeb 5
- W78-69at Nebraska CornhuskersFeb 1
- W75-66vs Washington HuskiesJan 30
- W88-82at Purdue BoilermakersJan 24
- W89-70vs Maryland TerrapinsJan 22
- W77-67vs Minnesota Golden GophersJan 17
- W79-68at Northwestern WildcatsJan 15
- W75-69at Iowa HawkeyesJan 11
- W81-55vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsJan 9
- W73-65at Penn State Nittany LionsJan 4
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 37-3 | - | 19-1 |
| Nebraska | 28-7 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State | 27-8 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Illinois | 28-9 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin | 24-11 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Purdue | 30-9 | 6 | 13-7 |
| UCLA | 24-12 | 6 | 13-7 |
| Ohio State | 21-13 | 7 | 12-8 |
| Iowa | 24-13 | 9 | 10-10 |
| Indiana | 18-14 | 10 | 9-11 |
| Minnesota | 15-18 | 11 | 8-12 |
| USC | 18-14 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Washington | 16-17 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Rutgers | 14-20 | 13 | 6-14 |
| Northwestern | 15-19 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Oregon | 12-20 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Maryland | 12-21 | 15 | 4-16 |
| Penn State | 12-20 | 16 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Illinois Fighting Illini | Michigan State Spartans |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-71 | 29-67 |
| Field goal % | 37 | 43 |
| Three-pointers | 10-36 | 7-24 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 29 |
| Free throws | 20-24 | 20-23 |
| Free throw % | 83 | 87 |
| Rebounds | 38 | 48 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 33 |
| Assists | 13 | 18 |
| Steals | 5 | 3 |
| Blocks | 5 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 4 | 5 |
| Fast-break points | 0 | 22 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 36 |
| Fouls | 21 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 16 | 16 |
| Time in front | 63 | 20 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half54-53Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-53David Mirkovic makes 8-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half56-56Jordan Scott makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jeremy Fears Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half57-56David Mirkovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-56Andrej Stojakovic makes layup (David Mirkovic assists)
- 2nd Half61-56David Mirkovic makes layup
- 2nd Half61-58Carson Cooper makes 11-foot hook shot (Jeremy Fears Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half63-58Andrej Stojakovic makes layup
- 2nd Half63-61Jaxon Kohler makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jeremy Fears Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half65-61Andrej Stojakovic makes layup
- 2nd Half65-62Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-63Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-64Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-64Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-64Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-66Jeremy Fears Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half67-67Jordan Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-68Jordan Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-68David Mirkovic makes layup
- 2nd Half69-71Kur Teng makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jaxon Kohler assists)
- 2nd Half70-71Jake Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-71Jake Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT71-73Jeremy Fears Jr. makes layup
- OT71-74Carson Cooper makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT74-74Tomislav Ivisic makes 26-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
- OT75-74Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT76-74Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT76-75Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT76-76Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT76-78Jeremy Fears Jr. makes 5-foot jumper
- OT76-79Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
- OT76-81Cam Ward makes 0-foot tip in layup
- OT77-81Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT77-82Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT77-83Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT78-83David Mirkovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT79-83David Mirkovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT79-84Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT79-85Jeremy Fears Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT82-85Keaton Wagler makes 31-foot three point jumper
Win probability
Above the line favours Michigan State Spartans, below favours Illinois Fighting Illini.
Venue
- Breslin CenterEast Lansing, MI
- Attendance14797
- OfficialsKelly Pfeifer, Jeffrey Anderson, Randy Richardson
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