Wrapping up the Big Ten championship in February is rare. Because of Michigan's dominance from November until now, they can celebrate their first win at Illinois since 2019 and rightfully take their place as the Big Ten's best. Here are three takeaways from the championship coronation that is a goal that they can cross off their checklist.
Michigan basketball is the only Big Ten team to win at Illinois, Purdue and Michigan State by double digits
In Michigan's three most daunting road games of the season, the Wolverines were not fazed one ounce. They confidently stepped into the three most hostile environments that the conference has to offer, and in the country, and went unbeaten. As a result, the Wolverines are outright Big Ten champions for the first time since what feels like 2014, which is the last year that they beat all three in the same season. In 2021, Illinois beat Michigan in the regular season and went on to capture the tournament title as well.
Half of Michigan's points came from the paint area
Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. were eating like it was Thanksgiving dinner on Friday night. The both of them combined for 38 points and were just as effective as defender's. The Ivisic brothers scored only nine points for the Illini. They were a comnbined 1-8 from deep after both were coming off a double-digit performance in the UCLA upset. Yaxel Lendeborg stated his case for Big Ten player of the year over Keaton Wagler, who's scored more then 11 points for the 21st consecutive outing.
2014: Michigan beats Michigan State and Purdue on the road, clinches a share of the Big Ten title at home against Minnesota, and an outright Big Ten title on the road against Illinois.
— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) February 28, 2026
2026: Michigan beats Michigan State and Purdue on the road, clinches a share of the Big Ten…
Michigan did to Illinois what they have been doing to the Wolverines since 2019. Mara and Johnson bullied Illinois and handed Brad Underwood his first ever loss to the maize and blue.
The home crowd's energy slowly dicipated
With 13 minutes to go, Michigan basketball called a timeout following a Keaton Wagler three-pointer to cut it to three. Moments later, they swelled the lead to double digits and took the crowd right out of it. They did the same to many others on their schedule, but doing it in Champagne and seizing the Big Ten championship in the process is stimulating.
HAIL TO THE VICTORS!