Illinois Favored to Win 2026 Big Ten Tournament

Illini have second-best odds to claim third conference title this decade

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The 2026 Big Ten Tournament is set to tip off in Chicago, with the Illinois Fighting Illini among the favorites to win the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Illini with the second-best odds at +460 to claim their third Big Ten tournament title this decade, trailing only the Michigan Wolverines at -105.

Why it matters

The Big Ten Tournament represents a crucial opportunity for teams to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, and Illinois' strong odds to win the event showcase the program's continued success and competitiveness within the conference.

The details

Illinois clinched a triple-bye to the tournament with a win over Maryland in their regular season finale, meaning they will only need to win three games in three days to claim the title. To do so, the Illini will likely need to avenge earlier losses to Wisconsin and Michigan, and potentially Michigan State, in the later rounds.

  • The 2026 Big Ten Tournament begins on Tuesday in Chicago.
  • Illinois' first game is scheduled for approximately 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the United Center.

The players

Illinois Fighting Illini

The University of Illinois' men's basketball team, which has emerged as a consistent contender in the Big Ten Conference in recent years.

Michigan Wolverines

The University of Michigan's men's basketball team, which is the odds-on favorite to win the 2026 Big Ten Tournament according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Purdue Boilermakers

The Purdue University men's basketball team, which has the third-best odds to win the 2026 Big Ten Tournament at +600.

Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State University men's basketball team, which has the fourth-best odds to win the 2026 Big Ten Tournament at +650.

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What’s next

The winner of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Illinois' strong odds to win the 2026 Big Ten Tournament showcase the program's continued success and competitiveness within the conference, as they look to claim their third tournament title this decade and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.