Michigan is on the brink of completing a stunning turnaround under the guidance of Dusty May, with just one victory needed to cap off their two-year journey from the depths of the Big Ten to its summit.
The No. 3 Wolverines (26-2, 16-1) have already secured a share of their first conference title since 2021 after a win over Minnesota.
However, a victory against No. 10 Illinois (22-6, 13-4) on Friday night in Champaign would give them sole possession of the crown.
This ascent is nothing short of extraordinary, considering Michigan's struggles in the 2023-24 season, which ended with their worst winning percentage (.250) since 1960-61, finishing last in the Big Ten and trailing Purdue by 14 games-a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament title game.
With the way they're playing, the Wolverines have their sights set on a deep March run, so don’t expect them to pop the champagne just yet if they triumph on Friday.
"We have such big and lofty goals in front of us, so it's tough to really celebrate this moment," May said after their 77-67 victory on Tuesday. "All glory is fleeting.
As soon as we start to feel good about what we've done, we're going to get knocked down. Every game, every possession, is incredibly important going forward.
We're trying to stay locked in on improving while also feeling good about doing something that's really, really difficult."
Friday’s matchup isn’t just about the conference race; it’s also a showcase for Michigan’s sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr., who’s sure to capture plenty of attention.
Originally committed to Illinois in 2021 as a standout at Chicago's St. Rita High School, Johnson was a fan favorite for his aggressive play around the rim during his freshman year at Illinois. The 6-foot-9, 255-pound powerhouse averaged 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just 17.6 minutes per game, known for his hustle on both ends of the court.
Johnson was expected to stay at Illinois with an NIL deal but entered the transfer portal last March, eventually landing at Michigan. Now, starting alongside 7-foot-3 Aday Mara and 6-foot-9 Yaxel Lendeborg, Johnson has become Michigan's second-leading scorer (13.3 points) and rebounder (7.3), playing 24.4 minutes per game.
"Morez is talented," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said in the preseason. "A very good athlete, very good rebounder.
You know, it probably starts with blocking him out and not letting him outrun you. Terrific competitor.
Tons of respect for Morez and a good player. He'll be a handful."
While Johnson’s move to Michigan was a loss for Illinois, it allowed them to fully embrace their five-out offensive strategy. Coach Underwood now relies on freshman forward David Mirkovic (12.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists) and freshman point guard Keaton Wagler (18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists) to drive their offense.
"They hunt matchups," May noted. "We're going to know who (Illinois) thinks on our team are inept defenders ... because they're going to hunt those matchups.
And when the shot goes up, you've heard me talk about feudal warfare? It is feudal warfare every time that ball goes up.
They're not accepting blockouts. They're not accepting anything other than maximum effort going towards that ball."
Friday’s clash promises to be a thrilling battle, with high stakes and high emotions on both sides.