CHAMPAIGN — Illinois Fighting basketball is hunting for a milestone win, and its target is Michigan in a key Big Ten Conference clash on Friday night in Champaign.
The Illini were trailing by 14 points with 9:12 left in the second half. It grew 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.
Keaton Wager 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.
The Wolverines got 13 points in the first half from former Illini forward Morez Johnson Jr., to take a 38-31 lead into halftime.
The Illini are trying to build a case for a No. 1 seed slot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. No. 10 Illinois comes in at 22-6 overall, 13-4 in the Big Ten. On the other side, No. 3 Michigan enters State Farm Center at 26-2, 16-1.
Illinois had a tough outing Saturday, absorbing a 95-94 overtime road loss to UCLA. The Illini have lost three of their last five.
Michigan beat Minnesota, 77-67 on Tuesday. They lost last Saturday to Duke, 68-63, in a game that knocked the Wolverines out of the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Below is a recap of the game, plus highlights and more.
Illinois vs. Michigan live score updates
| TEAMS | 1st half | 2nd half | — | FINAL |
| Michigan | 38 | 00 | — | 00 |
| Illinois | 31 | 00 | — | 00 |
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
Andy 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 Wager 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: TBA
- Michigan: TBA
Illinois vs. Michigan preview
- Records: Illinois 22-6 (13-4), Michigan 26-2 (16-1)
- Kenpom ranking: Illinois No. 14, Michigan No. 13
- Kenpom says: Michigan 81, Illinois 80 (49% win prob for Illinois)
- Barttorvik.com says: Illinois 80, Michigan 79 (55%)
- Massey computer says: Illinois 78, Michigan 76 (55%)
- Coaches poll: Illinois No. 11, Michigan No. 3
- AP Poll: Illinois No. 10, Michigan No. 3
- All-time series: Illinois, 96-85
- Head coaches: Illinois, Brad Underwood 9th year at Illinois (187-107). Michigan, Dusty May, 2nd year (53-12).
Illinois vs. Michigan odds, money line, over/under
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Friday afternoon, Feb. 27.
- Moneyline: Illinois -115; Michigan -115
- Spread: Illinois by .5
- Over/under: 161.5
Illinois basketball schedule 2025-26
- Dec. 6: vs. Tennessee (at Nashville)
- Dec. 9: at Ohio State
- Dec. 13: Nebraska
- Dec. 22: vs. Missouri at St. Louis, Mo. (Enterprise Center)
- Dec. 29: Southern
- Jan. 3: at Penn State
- Jan. 8: Rutgers
- Jan. 11: at Iowa
- Jan. 14: at Northwestern
- Jan. 17: Minnesota
- Jan. 21: Maryland
- Jan. 24: at Purdue
- Jan. 29: Washington
- Feb. 1: at Nebraska
- Feb. 4: Northwestern
- Feb. 7: at Michigan State
- Feb. 10: Wisconsin
- Feb. 15: Indiana
- Feb. 18: at USC
- Feb. 21: at UCLA
- Feb. 27: Michigan
- March 3: Oregon
- March 8: at Maryland
- March 10-15: Big Ten Tournament, Chicago
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois basketball vs. Michigan score: Live updates, highlights