Morez Johnson Jr.. Had 19 points and 11 rebounds against his former team as the No. 3 pick michigan beat number 10 Illinois 84-70 on Friday night and clinched the Big Ten regular season title.
Johnson, who played for the Illini last season after verbally committing three years ago, was booed by Illinois fans throughout the game.
paid off Had 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting, and Yaxel Lendeborg Finished with 16 points and seven rebounds for the Wolverines (27-2, 17-1), who are 10-0 on the road and have won 23 games by 10 or more points.
According to ESPN Research, the Wolverines won their second regular season title in the last 10 years, the second title being won in 2020–21. They also clinched the regular season title in 2014 with a win at Illinois.
Michigan’s 17 conference wins are the most in school history.
According to ESPN Research, Michigan recorded its eighth consecutive win against AP-ranked conference opponents (5–0 this season), its longest in program history and tied for the third-longest in Big Ten history.
Keaton Wagler Scored 23 points for the Fighting Illini (22-7, 13-5), who have lost four of six, including three in overtime. Wagler scored in double figures for the 21st consecutive game.
kylan boswell scored 15 points, and David Mirkovic Had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Illini, who entered the game as the Big Ten’s top 3-point shooting team. Illinois was only 9 of 29 from distance against Michigan.
Michigan led 38–31 at halftime behind Johnson’s 13 points.
After trailing 16–11 after Wagler’s four-point play, the Wolverines responded with an 11-point run capped by Johnson’s 3 and never trailed again. They remained ahead by 21 points in the second half.
Michigan’s win snapped a nine-game losing streak against Illinois that began in 2019. The Wolverines had defeated the Illini in four consecutive games at State Farm Center.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
