- Matchup: Michigan Wolverines vs Illinois Fighting Illini
- Date: February 27, 2026
- Venue: State Farm Center, Champaign, IL
- Broadcast: ESPN+
This page may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you, thanks for your support.
This Friday, the Illinois Fighting Illini (22-6) are set to host the Michigan Wolverines (26-2) at the State Farm Center.
In their last matchup, the Michigan Wolverines secured a 77-67 victory against Minnesota. They recorded 9 personal fouls each, with the Wolverines making 12 out of 34 from beyond the arc. Minnesota managed to shoot 83.3% from the free-throw line, converting 5 of 6 attempts. They collected a total of 16 rebounds (1 offensive, 15 defensive) without any blocks, along with 15 assists and 8 steals. Michigan allowed their opponents a shooting percentage of 45.5% on 25 out of 55 attempts from the field, dishing out 19 assists, forcing 8 turnovers, and securing 3 steals. Michingan gathered a total of 37 rebounds, including 9 on the offensive end, and made all 5 of their free-throw attempts, achieving a flawless 100% success rate. Their overall shooting output was a solid 50.0%, going 29 of 58, and they hit 14 of their 33 three-point attempts.
Elliot Cadeau was pivotal in this game, scoring 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting. He contributed 4 rebounds in his 31 minutes on the court and tallied 5 assists.
For the season, Michigan boasts an impressive record of 26-2. On average, they score 89.1 points per game, ranking 7th in Division 1, while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their three-point accuracy stands at 36.0%, making 264 of 733 attempts, and they hit 73.5% of their free throws. The Wolverines collect an average of 40.9 rebounds and have facilitated a total of 542 assists this year, marking them 2nd in D-1 in assists. They average 12.1 turnovers and commit 15.9 fouls per game.
Defensively, the Wolverines force their opponents into an average of 11.9 turnovers per game while drawing 20.0 fouls. They hold their adversaries to 29.5% shooting from three-point range and rank 55th in points allowed per game (68.7). Michigan allows a field-goal percentage of 37.7% (673 of 1,787) and concedes an average of 31.5 rebounds per game. They rank 18th in college hoops in terms of assists allowed, having given up 301 assists this season.
Illinois last faced UCLA, narrowly losing 95-94. The Fighting Illini achieved 40 rebounds, split evenly between offensive and defensive (20 each), but recorded 9 turnovers and managed 2 steals. UCLA committed 21 fouls, enabling Illinois to shoot 31 free throws, of which they converted 25 for an 80.6% success rate. From three-point range, Illinois made 13 out of 42 attempts (31.0%) and finished with a 40.6% shooting percentage (28 of 69). Conversely, UCLA shot 50.7% from the field, successfully making 34 out of 67 attempts, along with shooting 39.3% from three-point territory (11 of 28) and 84.2% from the free-throw line, making 16 of their 19 attempts. Illinois allowed UCLA to secure 23 rebounds (7 on the offensive end).
Keaton Wagler played a significant role for the Fighting Illini, shooting 5 for 15 for a 33.3% field-goal percentage while grabbing 8 rebounds. He totaled 19 points in 39 minutes on the court and dished out 6 assists.
Illinois has a record of 22-6 this season. They average 13.3 fouls per game and hold a free-throw shooting percentage of 79.2%. The team averages 14.9 assists per game (ranking 120th in D-1) and has 9.1 turnovers per contest. The Fighting Illini have scored 2,384 points this season, averaging 85.1 points per game, while grabbing 41.2 boards per game. Offensively, Illinois shoots at a 46.5% success rate, ranking 114th in college basketball.
Defensively, Illinois ranks 62nd in Division 1 for points allowed per game (69.0). They force an average of 7.8 turnovers per game and concede a field-goal percentage of 40.7% (34th in college). Opponents shoot 32.2% on three-pointers (236 of 732) and hit 72.0% of their free throws. The team allows 13.5 assists and 30.6 rebounds per game, ranking 189th and 19th in those categories respectively.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Back Michigan
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission always at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping us keep this site running.
