Michigan dominates Illinois, clinching the Big Ten regular season title. Revenge served cold for former Illini forward Morez Johnson Jr, as the Wolverines roared to a convicing 84-70 victory.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Hail to the champions. Again.
For the first time since 2021, the Michigan Wolverines are the kings of Big Ten basketball. The No. 3-ranked Wolverines crushed No. 10 Illinois 84-70 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, leading throught to raise their record to 27-2 and 17-1 in he Big Ten. Since everyone else already has at least four losses, the title is theirs.
The win was especially sweet for Michigan forward Morez Johnson, Jr., who played at Illinois last year and was booed and harassed by fans throughout the game. He had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Frontcourt mates Aday Mary had 19, and Yaxel Lendeborg added 16.
Illinois, which lost at hone for just the second time all season fell to 27-7 overall and 13-5 in the Big Ten. Their only other home loss was to Wisconsin in overtime on Feb. 10
Here's the game story from Michigan Roundtable writer Dakota Allen, live from Champaign.
This was Michigan's first win over Illinois since 2019. They left no doubt about this one, either, leading by as much as 21 points in the second half. They are clearly deserving of the Big Ten crown.
Big Ten regular season basketball champions since 2000
Here are the Big Ten champions and co-champions in the Big Ten regular season since 2000.
2000 — Michigan State Spartans (13-3)
2001 — Michigan State Spartans, Illinois Fighting Illini (13-3)
2002 — Indiana Hoosiers, Illinois Fighting Illini, Wisconsin Badgers (11-5)
2003 — Wisconsin Badgers (12-4)
2004 — Illinois Fighting Illini (13-3)
2005 — Illinois Fighting Illini (15-1)
2006 — Ohio State Buckeyes (12-4)
2007 — Ohio State Buckeyes (15-1)
2008 — Wisconsin Badgers (16-2)
2009 — Michigan State Spartans (15-3)
2010 — Purdue Boilermakers, Michigan State Spartans, Ohio State Buckeyes (14-4)
2011 — Ohio State Buckeyes (16-2)
2012 — Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Ohio State Buckeyes (13-5)
2013 — Indiana Hoosiers (14-4)
2014 — Michigan Wolverines (15-3)
2015 — Wisconsin Badgers (16-2)
2016 — Indiana Hoosiers (15-3)
2017 — Purdue Boilermakers (14-4)
2018 — Michigan State Spartans (16-2)
2019 — Purdue Boilermakers, Michigan State Spartans (16-4)
2020 — Maryland Terrapins, Michigan State Spartans, Wisconsin Badgers (14-6)
2021 — Michigan Wolverines (14-3)
2022 — Illinois Fighting Illini, Wisconsin Badgers (15-5)
2023 — Purdue Boilermakers (15-5)
2024 — Purdue Boilermakers (17-3)
2025 — Michigan State Spartans (17-3)
2026 — Michigan Wolverines (17-1 with two games to go)