Main Street: Big Ten battle between a lock and a bubble

Tonight's Main Street focuses on surging Michigan State and slumping Illinois. The Illini need this win for even a sniff of a chance at the NCAA's. They haven't been dancing since 2003. Michigan State has come off of big wins on the road against OSU and Purdue and has become a program under Coach McAuley that seems to be a consistent NCAA team.

The Summary: After a rough start, MSU has pulled it together and their youth has pulled off big wins against ranked Big Ten faves, Purdue and OSU. They are definitely the favorite here, but you can't count out the Hall of Fame legend, Theresa Grentz. Her team started out strong, but has once again struggled to end the season. Grentz needs to get this program back on track. When she first came to Illinois she took a nothing program to back-to-back Sweet 16's within three seasons, but since has done little and has been relegated to the WNIT. Every season she has been in Champaign she has beaten a ranked team (last year it was Oklahoma) and they have not done this yet. Tonight they have a perfect chance at home.

The Stakes: MSU is 21-7 and 12-2 in the conference. To stay in contention for the league title they can't flub up here. They are also fighting for a potential four seed. Right now I would have them at a five or six. Illinois is young, sitting at 17-9 overall and 7-6 in the Big Ten. They need to win this game and probably the next at home versus Purdue for a shot at the NCAA's. That would put them at 9-7 and a solid fourth place in the Big Ten, though the league is as weak as it has ever been.

The Series: MSU leads overall 29-24, but Illinois is 14-9 against the Spartans at home. MSU defeated Illinois by 10 earlier this season.

The Say: Obviously, MSU is playing well and should get out of this game on the road alive, but I have to believe that the Grentz, one of my favorite coaches in the game will have her team pumped and inspired to defeat a ranked opponent to get their eighth Big Ten win and move towards an NCAA bid. A loss hear seals their fate to the "other" tourney. While all signs point to Coach Jo P., I am thinking upset! Final word: Illinois shocks the Spartans, slows their momentum and pulls off the upset!