AA: Having lost four straight games, a visit from another tanking team could be just what Miami needs. But unlike the RedHawks, which were abused in their last series with U-M, MSU enters the weekend on the heels of a respectable split with Alaska. Freshman forward Daultan Leveille scores in both games and senior goaltender Jeff Lerg shines between the pipes for the Spartans, who bring much needed confidence into next week’s series with U-M.

FRI: MSU 2, Miami 1, ?SAT: MSU 3, Miami 2

AD: Miami is going to be hungry coming into this game. The RedHawks have been upset for four straight games and are aching to turn things around against the Spartans. Plus, MSU might be without top goal-scorer senior forward Matt Schepke, who injured his shoulder in practice this week. Lerg will bring his usual stellar performance, but the Spartans defense is too thin to contain the high powered offense the RedHawks bring to the table.

FRI: MSU 1, Miami 4, ?SAT: MSU 2, Miami 3

CK: I might as well admit this right away — hockey isn’t my strong suit (although I do know senior goaltender Jeff Lerg has some relation to God, or so I’m told). It won’t be getting any easier for the Spartans when they travel to Oxford to face No. 9 Miami. Sophomore Carter Camper (12 goals) and four other players with seven or more goals have led the RedHawks this season, and I expect those five to do much of the same against the young Spartans.

FRI: MSU 0, Miami 3, ?SAT: MSU 1, Miami 4

JT: The loss of Schepke could be huge and playing an angry team on the road is never a good recipe for getting off the fritz, but MSU has been actually producing since breaking its winless streak at the Joe (Louis Arena) last month. The games against the RedHawks have traditionally been tough and even though the RedHawks are by far the better team, I give the Spartans a puncher’s chance for a split.

FRI: MSU 1, Miami 4, ?SAT: MSU 3, Miami 2

Men’s basketball vs. Illinois ?

4 p.m. Saturday?, East Lansing

AA: After a two-year nosedive, Illinois finally has emerged from the stink tank. The Illini don’t have a star, but they have a balanced offensive attack and tenacious defense that makes them make dangerous. Despite its vast improvement, Illinois still lacks the athleticism to compete with MSU, especially on the perimeter. Junior forward Raymar Morgan pours in 20 hard-earned points and sophomore guard Durrell Summers adds 14, as the Spartans break away late.

MSU 65, Illinois 58

AD: Ever since the Spartans had their faces wiped in the dirt against North Carolina, they have been on fire. However, Illinois is no slouch this season. The Fighting Illini feature a very unselfish offense and have racked up more assists than any other team in the country. But head coach Tom Izzo will structure the defense to dismantle passing lanes and the winning streak will stay alive as sophomore guard Kalin Lucas and Morgan lead the Spartans to victory.

MSU 72, Illinois 61

CK: I’m very surprised by the turnaround by the Illini, even though I know I shouldn’t be. Between talented young players (Mike Davis and DeMetri McCamey), a group of veterans (Trent Meacham and Chester Frazier) and a great coach in Bruce Weber, it was only a matter of time before Illinois made its way back to the top of the Big Ten. With that being said, MSU is just too fast, too good and too dominant this season to lose to a team like Illinois.

MSU 73, Illinois 58

JT: The Spartans have become a different team since the return of senior center Goran Suton, having dispatched the last nine teams with relative ease. Even though the Big Ten is better than expected this season, there aren’t too many more games that the Spartans should be threatened in. With only marginally good bigs on its team of shooters, Illinois will get dominated on the boards.

MSU 78, Illinois 64

Women’s basketball vs. Penn State

?4 p.m. Sunday, ?East Lansing

AA: After dropping four straight games last month, the Spartans find themselves right in the thick of the Big Ten race. The Spartans will have a chance to create separation against an inferior Penn State squad that will be playing its second road game in four days. A little fatigue and a whole lot of junior center Allyssa DeHaan spell doom for the Nittany Lions.

MSU 71, Penn State 57

AD: With the Spartans’ seven-point victory on Dec. 21 over Penn State, it was clear the Nittany Lions had no answer for Allyssa DeHaan. Expect head coach Suzy Merchant to continue to structure the game plan around getting the ball in the paint to DeHaan. If the Spartans can control their pesky turnover tendencies and DeHaan establishes herself early, I’d expect a similar result.

MSU 69, Penn State 63

CK: The Spartans beat the Nittany Lions by seven points earlier this season as Penn State’s Brianne O’Rouke and Tyra Grant each scored in double figures. DeHaan led the Spartans to the win with 14 points and nine rebounds. Another guard will shine on Sunday, but this time it will be MSU’s turn as sophomore guard Brittney Thomas will flirt with a triple-double and lead her team to the W.

MSU 71, Penn State 57

JT: The women’s team has seemed to get a hold its turnover issues of late and the addition of freshmen forwards Courtney Schiffauer and Lykendra Johnson to the starting lineup has given the team an extra boost of energy at the start of games. The Spartans are going to need to sustain that energy, especially up front. Expect a more convincing win at home.

MSU 72, Penn State 62