It's been a long haul since Michigan last tasted victory over Illinois on the basketball court, dating back to January 10, 2019. The Illini have been a thorn in the Wolverines' side, stringing together nine consecutive wins, including a commanding 20-point triumph in Dusty May’s first clash with Illinois last year.
Despite that setback, Michigan bounced back to clinch the Big Ten Tournament and make a Sweet 16 appearance to cap off the season. With Dusty May at the helm for his second year, the Wolverines are once again serious contenders for the national championship.
Brad Underwood has crafted an impressive 9-2 record against Michigan during his time at Champaign, and Friday night's top-10 showdown is shaping up to be the most significant yet. Illinois holds the No. 10 spot in the latest AP Top 25 poll, while Michigan is sitting pretty at No.
- This marks the first top-10 matchup at the State Farm Center since 2006.
Can Illinois pull off its biggest home victory in two decades and extend their winning streak?
Reflecting on that 2006 game, Illinois secured a 60-50 victory over Michigan State, advancing to a 15-0 record for the season. Dee Brown was the hero of the night, dropping 34 points. The Illini will be hoping for a similar standout performance from freshman Keaton Wagler to topple a formidable Wolverines squad.
Michigan, entering the game at 26-2, is ranked No. 1 across major analytical platforms like KenPom, Bart Torvik, and Evan Miya. They were also the top overall seed in the committee’s Top 16 reveal before a recent slip against Duke.
The Wolverines are almost a lock for a No. 1 seed when the official bracket is unveiled in less than three weeks. Illinois will need to bring their absolute best, especially after dropping three games this month, with their latest loss to UCLA reflecting more of a struggle than their potential peak performance.
Are Illinois’ close losses due to poor late-game execution or just plain bad luck?
KenPom ranks Illinois at No. 300 in terms of “luck.” Yet, since February 1, they’ve climbed to No. 3 nationally at Bart Torvik, despite a 3-3 record in that span.
Illinois is 3-5 in games decided by six points or fewer, with four Big Ten losses coming down to the wire. Their last three defeats were in overtime, and a December heartbreaker against Nebraska was sealed by a buzzer-beating three.
The Illini haven’t won an overtime game since February 4, 2024, and are 0-5 in their last five overtime contests. This is a trend they need to reverse before March Madness kicks in.
A victory on Friday would be a landmark moment for Underwood and his squad. With the talent to reach the second weekend and make a push for their first Final Four since 2005, a 10th straight win over Michigan would be their season’s crowning achievement. The Illini have kept Michigan at bay for over 2,600 days and aim to continue that streak on Friday night.