The Fighting Illini played well in the first half and entered halftime with a 37-27 lead. They forced Michigan State to turn the ball over nine times and shot the ball well from beyond the arc (made five in the first half).

However, it was the “Keith Appling Show” in the second half.

Appling had to step up big time for the Spartans because of an injury to Gary Harris (back spasms). Appling finished the game with 24 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. He went 7-of-12 from the field and 8-of-12 from the free throw line.

Appling was able to dominate the Illini defense via his dribble penetration. When he would drive to the basket, two things would happen. The Illinois defense would collapse to the ball and allow Appling to hit a cutting teammate for the score or he would finish at the rim all on his own.

Jan. 31, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Keith Appling (11) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans guard Brandan Kearney (3) during 2nd half at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. MSU won 80-75. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

This was a bounce back game for Appling because he only scored three points in the loss to Indiana.

Overall, Illinois shot the ball well, but shot a lot better in the first half. In the second half, the Illini missed their first four shots while the Spartans made six.

There were four players to score double-digits for Illinois. Their leading scorer was Tracy Abrams. He finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Abrams could have had five steals, but fumbled Michigan State’s last inbounds pass that sent Keith Appling to the charity stripe to ice the game.

One of the biggest problems for Illinois was how often Michigan State got to the foul line. The Spartans were 24-of-34 (70.6%) from the charity stripe.

The other problem for Illinois was that they let Michigan State shoot 80% from the field in the second half. The Illini shot the ball well in the first half, but gave all their momentum to the Spartans in the second half. That is the reason they lost.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Illinois in their upcoming games.

Their next three games will feature two ranked conference teams (Indiana and Minnesota) and two teams that have already beat the Illini (Wisconsin and Minnesota). Illinois has proven they can play with anyone in the country, but they still need to prove that they can play with anyone in the Big Ten.

The Fighting Illini are now 15-7 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten.

Their next game will be against the Wisconsin Badgers on February 3rd. The Badgers beat the Illini, 74-51, in their first meeting this year. However, Wisconsin is 2-3 since they beat Illinois. They are 14-7 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten.

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The Illini lost to the Michigan Wolverines, 60-74, in their last game. Illinois has only won two conference games after losing just one non-conference game coming into Big Ten play.

However, Illinois will have more tough games ahead. The game against Michigan State will be their second straight game against a ranked Big Ten foe. Even after MSU, the Illini have three games where they will play two more ranked conference teams (Indiana and Minnesota) and two teams that have already defeated Illinois (Wisconsin and Minnesota).

The Spartans are ranked #13 in the nation with an overall record of 17-4. Unlike Illinois, Michigan State has only two conference losses this season. One of those losses came in their last game against the Indiana Hoosiers, 70-75. Before the loss to Indiana, the Spartans were riding a six game winning streak.

Michigan State has three players averaging double-digit points so far this season. These players are junior Keith Appling (13.5 points per game), freshman Gary Harris (12.7 points per game), and sophomore Branden Dawson (10.6 points per game).

Jan. 5, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Gary Harris (14) looks to make pass against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. MSU won 84-61. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

In head coach John Groce’s teleconference this week, he had nothing, but good things to say about both Appling and Harris. Both players know how to score, but they can also play defense as well.

However, both players did not see success against the Indiana Hoosiers. Harris played well and finished with 21 points in the game while Appling only scored three points. Appling was in foul trouble the entire game. He played only 19 minutes and fouled out in the second half.

Another thing Michigan State seems to be doing well this season is rebounding. They have three players averaging over six rebounds per game and are ranked fourth in the Big Ten in rebounding margin.

The top rebounders on the team are junior Adreian Payne (6.9 rebounds per game), senior Derrick Nix (6.8 rebounds per game), and Dawson (6.7 rebounds per game). As a team, the Spartans are averaging 38.3 rebounds per game and are out-rebounding opponents by 7.3 rebounds per game.

This will be 111th meeting between the Fighting Illini and the Spartans. In last year’s meeting, Illinois defeated Michigan State, 42-41, at Assembly Hall. However, the Spartans have won the last five game played in East Lansing.

The keys Thursday’s game for Illinois will be defense and rebounding. In the game against Michigan, the Illini let the Wolverines shoot 52.5% from the field and let four of their starters reach double digits. They will also need to be very physical on defense and on the boards.

Keith Appling will be the enemy #1 for Illinois. If Illinois can do what Indiana did on January 27th, then they can win. The Hoosiers held Appling to only three points offensively and forced him into foul trouble. Appling only played nineteen minutes and fouled out with 5:14 minutes left in the game.

Offensively, Illinois will need to shoot the ball a lot better on Thursday. When they shoot under 40% from the field in conference games, the Illini lose. When they shoot over 40% from the field in conference games, they win. It is as simple as that.

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Illinois' sophomore center Meyers Leonard has been named a finalist for the USA U19 World Championship Team.

Illinois’ sophomore Meyers Leonard, who played in all but one of the team’s games last season as a true freshman and is likely to start this season as a true sophomore, has been selected as a finalist for a spot on the roster that will represent USA Basketball at the FIBA U19 World Championships in Latvia from June 30th to July 10th. (more…)