Preview: No, 1 Illinois at No. 12 Michigan State

3 PM Update: Prediction, Illinois 72, Michigan State 64

Michigan State will host Illinois tonight in East Lansing, marking the first hosting of a number one team in two decades.

Its a matchup -- and the only one between these two teams this season -- between two NCAA basketball powerhouses. Both teams talked highly of and poised for a final four run, it should be a game for the ages.

"Anytime you can bring a No. 1 team that has been so dominant, it's a great opportunity," Izzo said Monday. "I hope this place is like it never has been."

And don't expect the Spartans to let his opportunity to go by without them bringing their finest game. Everything is in their favor. Illinois is due for a loss, the Spartans have been playing better basketball, and they're in East Lansing, where the Spartans have no lost yet.

The Spartans are going to need better play out of Maurice Ager and Paul Davis. Davis sat out the last game to rest his healing sprained ankle, and, like Ager, has been disappointing at best this season. Point guard Chris Hill believes they have some things they can take advantage of with Davis and forward Alan Anderson.

Illinois will need to bring their best game to East Lansing. They shoot well, pass well, but do not rebound exceptionally well. They have a strong outside game and play mediocre defense.

So how is it that Michigan State is supposed to win? Izzo has one thought -- "The one weakness they might have is they're not a great defensive team. If they have a weakness, that's it."

That's a big if at that. The Illini are giving up 62.8 points per game. They're scoring 81.5 points per game. Izzo's task will be tough, but it can be done.

MSU has done a good job of holding opponents under 65 points per game. Like Illinois, against tougher opponents, they've been able to use their defense to hold teams down enough to have a comfortable lead. Can this be done against a team like Illinois? Probably, but at a different degree. Holding a team like Illinois in the 70s could be compared to a holding a team like Penn State into the 50s.

The Spartans need production out of their starting five. They must get off to a good start and not waste possessions away bouncing the ball off the rim. They must play tough against the likes of Luther Head and Deron Williams. They must also find a way to contain Roger Powell Jr. They must also work to stop Illinois unselfish play, and not focus on just one person.

"I have never seen a team as unselfish as Illinois," Oakland University head coach Greg Kampe said. "They've got three lottery picks possibly. You would think they would be fighting for the ball, but they don't. They share it better than any team I have ever seen."

Emotions will be high tonight at the Breslin Center. Illinois is positioned for an undefeated season and Michigan State has a chance to make a statement to the entire nation. Regardless of the outcome, both will make their mark on this season and could be seen in the final four come March.