CHAMPAIGN — Illinois Fighting Illini basketball was hunting for a win that could decorate their resume for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
But instead they saw Michigan bag a trophy with the clinching of the Big Ten Conference regular-season title Friday in a clash of ranked teams in Champaign.
The Illini trailed by as much as 21 late in the second half, while Michigan snapped a nine-game losing streak in the series with an 84-70 decision over Illinois at State Farm Center.
Keaton Wagler had 11 of the first 21 points scored by the Illini in the second half. Michigan’s Aday Mara broke it open with seven straight points in 66 seconds during a 13-2 run to establish a 14-point lead, and Illinois never recovered.
Former Illini forward Montez Johnson Jr. notched 13 first-half points on the way to a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in his return to Champaign. His former Illini fans rode him relentlessly.
Wagler finished with 23 points, while Illini teammate David Mirkovic had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.
No. 10 Illinois next hosts Oregon. No. 3 Michigan moves on to a game at Iowa on Thursday.
Below is a recap of the game, plus highlights and more.
Illinois vs. Michigan final score
FINAL: Michigan 84, Illinois 70
Johnson double-double
Morez Johnson Jr. with a double-double for Michigan on 19 points, 11 rebounds.
David Mirkovic with a double-double on 12 points, 10 rebounds.
Wagler has a game-high 23 points for Illini.
Michigan cruising up 20 with under two minutes left.
Michigan running away
The Wolverines are on a 13-2 run over the last 2:44, capped by back-to-back 3s from reserve Trey McKenney.
It’s 72-54 with 7:34 left in the game.
Michigan’s Mara is unstoppable
Aday Mara gives Michigan its largest lead of the game at 66-52 with a personal run of 7 straight points on a jumper, a dunk and a layup and-1 all in a span of 66 seconds.
There’s 9:12 left.
Meanwhile, Illini’s Kylan Boswell has not scored in the second half. Had 11 in first half.
Wagler trying to carry Illinois
Keaton Wagler has 11 of the 21 points scored by the Illini in the second half, but Michigan is in control, 63-52, with 9:51 left.
Michigan guard hurt
Wolverines guard LJ Cason limps off the court for the second time in the game with 13:09 left.
Wagler chips in
Keaton Wagler drops in a 3, a layup and a pair of free throws in the first 7 minutes of the second half as Illinois trails 53-48 with 13:09 left.
HALFTIME: Michigan 38, Illinois 31
Dazzling play
Michigan’s LJ Cason leads a 3-on-1 break, leaps toward the rim and drops back a no-look pass with a bounce between his legs, setting up Johnson Jr. for a dunk and 38-29 lead with 42 seconds left.
Morez Johnson Jr.
Morez Johnson Jr. was beloved as a freshman at Illinois, then left last spring and transferred to Michigan.
His return to Champaign tonight has drawn a dedicated response from the Illini fans, who are really letting him have hit.
Johnson missed a free throw with about four minutes left in the half, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath before shooting the second one, which hung on the front of the rim and dropped in.
Johnson Jr has a game-high 11 points plus 5 rebounds.
It’s 32-27 Michigan with 4:04 left.
Illini in a close battle
Michigan up 24-21 with 7:29 left in the first half.
Illini kept in it on a game-high 9 points from senior guard Kylan Boswell.
Illinois vs Michigan starting lineups
Illinois vs. Michigan preview
Illinois vs. Michigan odds, money line, over/under
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Friday afternoon, Feb. 27.
Illinois basketball schedule 2025-26
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois basketball vs Michigan: Everything to know about Illinois’ big loss
Reporting by Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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