Michigan Wolverines vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/27/2026

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, February 27, 2026

Venue:  State Farm Center, Champaign, IL

Where to Watch:  FOX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Michigan -1.5, Illinois +1.5; Over/Under:  156.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Michigan -1.5, Illinois +1.5; Over/Under:  156.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Michigan +1.5, Illinois -1.5; Over/Under:  156.5 points

Michigan Wolverines:  26-2 (16-1) (1st place, Big Ten)

Illinois Fighting Illini:  22-6 (13-4) (3rd place, Big Ten)

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Michigan Wolverines:  4-1  last 5

Illinois Fighting Illini:  2-3  last 5

Michigan is entering this game with a 26-2 record overall, a 16-1 record in conference games, and they are 9-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their last game. Elliot Cadeau led the team in points in that game with 15 while L.J. Cason was next on the team with 14. Elliot Cadeau led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Morez Johnson Jr. and Roddy Gayle Jr. each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 50% from the field, 42.4% from 3-point range, and 100% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 89.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 68.7 PPG against them. Michigan has an ATS record of 14-14 this season and their O/U record is 11-17.

Illinois is entering this game with a 22-6 record overall, a 13-4 conference record, and they are 13-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the UCLA Bruins in their last game. Keaton Wagler led the team in points in that game with 19 while Tomislav Ivišić was next on the team with 16. Keaton Wagler led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Keaton Wagler led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 40.6% from the field, 31% from 3-point range, and 80.6% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 17-11 this season and their O/U record is 12-16.

The current betting odds have Michigan listed as a 1.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Michigan has looked great in their games this season with their 26-2 record overall and their 16-1 conference record which has them right at the top of the Big Ten. They have been a great road team too with their 9-0 road record this year. Meanwhile, Illinois has looked really good in their games this season with their 22-6 record overall and their 13-4 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They have looked great on their home court too with their 13-2 home record this season. Illinois has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten all season and they are ranked inside the top 25 teams in the nation too. They were rolling to start the conference schedule and have picked up some really good wins this year too, but lately they haven't looked as good as the wheels have been starting to fall off. They are still one of the best teams in the conference with the talent they have, but they are only 2-3 in their last 5 games as they haven't looked that good lately, and they are off a bad road loss to UCLA in their last one. They blew a big lead in that game too and just haven't been at their best lately, which is going to be an issue with one of the best teams in the nation coming into to town. Michigan only has 2 losses all season and they have been ranked like one of the best teams in the nation all year. They recently took a loss to Duke who is also a top team in the nation, but they are still 4-1 in their last 5 games and off a win over Minnesota in their last one. Michigan has the potential to be the best team in the nation this year with the talent they have and they have been rolling over many of the opponents they have faced this season. Illinois is still a really talented team that will be looking to bounce back at home, but they haven't been at their best lately while Michigan has clearly separated themselves from the rest of the Big Ten. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan to cover the spread in this game. 

Michigan Illinois Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, February 27, 2026 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Michigan 88 Illinois 84.

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Michigan Wolverines: 11-19 ATS in road games. 18-25 ATS after playing a home game. 21-36 ATS versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game. 6-3 OVER on the road when the line is +3 to -3. 

Illinois Fighting Illini: 11-6 ATS off a loss against a conference rival. 9-3 ATS off an upset loss to a conference rival as a favorite. 12-5 ATS after allowing 85 points or more. 8-2 OVER off a road loss against a conference rival. 19-10 OVER after playing a road game.

Michigan Wolverines:  W. Grady (G-F) Questionable - Undisclosed. R. Liburd (G-F) Out - Redshirt.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  J. Jakstys (C) Out - Undisclosed. T. Rodgers (G-F) Questionable - Knee.

"I mean, obviously, we're not excusing, but yeah. I mean, we went out there, and we got to the hotel, we're having dinner at 1 a.m. the night before the game. And then we have game day, and that day is stimulating, and there's a lot that we poured into it. And then we have flight issues coming back cuz of weather, stuff that everyone's dealing with. There's sickness, there's flight issues. So then we get back at whatever, 3 a.m., our guys are probably in bed at 4. Gotta come in and prepare. And so we did seem a bit slow these last couple games, just not as quick to the ball. And you know what? We might have weather issues going to the NCAA Tournament. We might have weather issues in whatever's next. So we have to be good enough to overcome that on a given night.” - Dusty May after his team’s win against Minnesota in their last game. 

“Dre [Andrej Stojakovic] was right there, and all we were trying to do was force him to veer or pass. And he just got by us, letting him get all the way to the rim was not on the game plan.” - Brad Underwood after his team’s loss against UCLA in their last game. 

N. Burnett 

E. Cadeau 

M. Johnson 

Y. Lendeborg 

A. Mara

K. Boswell 

T. Ivisic 

D. Mirkovic 

A. Stojakovic 

K. Wagler

PPG: Yaxel Lendeborg (14.2)

APG: Elliot Cadeau (5.5)

Reb/G: Yaxel Lendeborg (7.3)

PPG: Keaton Wagler (18.2)

APG: Keaton Wagler (4.3)

Reb/G: David Mirkovic (7.7)

Coaches:

Michigan Wolverines: Dusty May (2nd season)

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (9th season)