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Ex-Illinois Star Morez Johnson Jr. Faces Hostile Homecoming at No. 10 Illinois
Johnson's former teammate Jake Davis warns the Michigan transfer will "hear it" from the Illinois fans.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines will visit the No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini on Friday night in a crucial Big Ten matchup. The game will feature a homecoming of sorts for Michigan transfer Morez Johnson Jr., who left Illinois last spring. While Illinois coach Brad Underwood took the high road, Johnson's former teammate Jake Davis said the Illinois fans "are gonna let him know" about his departure.
Why it matters
This game has major Big Ten title implications, as a Michigan win would clinch the outright conference regular season championship for the Wolverines. The return of Johnson, a former Illinois player, also adds an intriguing personal storyline to the high-stakes matchup.
The details
Illinois forward Jake Davis said he thinks the Illinois fans "are gonna let (Johnson) know" about his departure from the program, adding "he left. Nothing against that. Love Morez, but I think it'll be good for him to return to what could've been, what he could've had." However, Illinois coach Brad Underwood took a more diplomatic approach, saying he hopes Johnson's "time here was, I hope, just as beneficial for him as he was for us" and that he "couldn't tell you the Big Ten standings" because he's only focused on winning the game.
- The game will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET.
The players
Morez Johnson Jr.
A transfer forward who left the Illinois program last spring to join the Michigan Wolverines.
Jake Davis
An Illinois forward and former teammate of Morez Johnson Jr.
Brad Underwood
The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team.
What they’re saying
“I think he's gonna hear it. I think the fans are gonna let him know, as they should. He left. Nothing against that. Love Morez, but I think it'll be good for him to return to what could've been, what he could've had. I think it'll be good, it'll be fun.”
— Jake Davis, Illinois Forward (Sporting News)
“His time here was, I hope, just as beneficial for him as he was for us. I don't begrudge anybody. In today's world, I hope I'm not that petty. He's a very talented player... He's tough, he plays very hard and he has impacted that team.”
— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach (Sporting News)
What’s next
The winner of Friday's game between No. 3 Michigan and No. 10 Illinois will take a major step towards clinching the outright Big Ten regular season title with under two weeks remaining in the conference schedule.
The takeaway
This high-stakes matchup between two top-10 Big Ten teams features an intriguing personal storyline with the return of former Illinois player Morez Johnson Jr. to face his old team and fans. While the Illinois coach took the high road, Johnson's former teammate Jake Davis promised the Illinois crowd will "let him know" about his departure, adding an extra layer of drama to an already crucial conference clash.
