No. 3 Michigan Clinches Big Ten Title With 84-70 Win Over No. 10 Illinois

Morez Johnson Jr. leads Wolverines with 19 points and 11 rebounds in victory over former team

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Morez Johnson Jr. scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead No. 3 Michigan to an 84-70 victory over No. 10 Illinois, clinching the Big Ten regular-season title for the Wolverines. Michigan 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara added 19 points in the second half to help secure the win. Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler scored a team-high 23 points in the losing effort.

Why it matters

This game had major Big Ten title implications, as Michigan clinched the regular-season championship with the victory. It also featured a high-profile matchup between Morez Johnson Jr., who transferred from Illinois to Michigan after his freshman season, and his former team.

The details

Michigan jumped out to a 38-31 halftime lead, with Johnson scoring 13 of his 19 points in the first half. Illinois cut the deficit to 53-48 early in the second half, but the Wolverines pulled away down the stretch. Wagler had a strong game for the Illini, but Michigan's defense was able to limit his impact in the first half.

  • Michigan clinched the Big Ten regular-season title with the victory on Friday night.

The players

Morez Johnson Jr.

A 6-foot-9 sophomore forward who transferred from Illinois to Michigan after his freshman season. He led the Wolverines with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

Aday Mara

Michigan's 7-foot-3 center, who scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half to help the Wolverines pull away.

Keaton Wagler

A freshman guard for Illinois, who scored a team-high 23 points in the loss.

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What’s next

Michigan will look to carry the momentum of the Big Ten title into the conference tournament and NCAA Tournament, while Illinois will aim to bounce back in its final two regular-season games before the Big Ten Tournament.

The takeaway

This game showcased the talent and depth of the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines, who were able to overcome a hostile environment and a strong effort from Illinois to clinch the Big Ten regular-season title. The matchup between Morez Johnson Jr. and his former team added an extra layer of intrigue to the high-stakes contest.