A massive Big Ten showdown is set for Friday night as the Michigan Wolverines head to Champaign to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Michigan enters at 26-2 and has already clinched at least a share of the Big Ten title. The Wolverines picked up a win at Minnesota earlier this week and have been one of the most consistent teams in the country all season. Their only losses came at Wisconsin in January and against Duke in February.
Illinois sits at 22-6 and is looking to bounce back after a tough overtime loss at UCLA on Saturday. The Illini had a big lead in that game and even led late in overtime before surrendering a buzzer-beater. It marked their third loss in the last five games.
Michigan is averaging nearly 90 points per game while also defending at a high level. After this matchup, the Wolverines close the regular season at Iowa on March 5 and then return home to face Michigan State on March 8 before the Big Ten Tournament begins.
Illinois will host Oregon on March 3 before finishing the regular season at Maryland on March 8.
Michigan vs. Illinois: When and where
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Location: State Farm Center, Champaign, IL
Michigan vs. Illinois: How to watch or stream
TV: FOX
Streaming: FuboTV
Michigan vs. Illinois: Betting odds
Spread: Michigan -1.5; Illinois +1.5
Moneyline: Michigan -110; Illinois +109
Total: 156.5
Michigan vs. Illinois: Series history
All-time series: Illinois leads 96-85
Last meeting: Illinois defeated Michigan 93-73 on March 2, 2026
Key note: Illinois has won nine straight games in the series.
Projected starting lineups
Michigan Wolverines
#23 Yaxel Lendeborg – 14.2 PPG
#21 Morez Johnson Jr. – 13.2 PPG
#15 Aday Mara – 11.1 PPG
#3 Elliot Cadeau – 10.2 PPG
#4 Nimari Burnett – 8.7 PPG
Illinois Fighting Illini
#23 Keaton Wagler – 18.2 PPG
#4 Kylan Boswell – 13.9 PPG
#2 Andrej Stojakovic – 13.8 PPG
#00 David Mirkovic – 12.7 PPG
#13 Tomislav Ivisic – 10.7 PPG
Big Ten thriller on deck
This has all the ingredients of a late-February classic. Illinois is desperate to protect its home floor after a frustrating trip to Los Angeles. Michigan is chasing more than a conference title, with positioning for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament very much in play.
Expect a high-level game with physical defense, shot-making on both sides and a postseason feel inside the State Farm Center. It should be a fitting start to a huge weekend of college basketball.