It’s been fun, hasn’t it? Illinois hasn’t lost to Michigan in more than seven years – Jan. 10, 2019. It’s been so long, that I was still a student the last time it happened! Unfortunately, if I played in the band that day, I didn’t take a photo to document it.
Well, ever since then, Illinois has dominated the series — winning nine games in a row.
The all-time record in the series is 11 in a row, which Illinois can get close to tying if the Illini can knock off No. 3 Michigan on Friday night (7 p.m.
on Fox).
To prepare, here’s every TCR recap from the past nine meetings.
Dec. 11, 2019: Illinois knocks off No. 5 Michigan, 71-62
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Now that’s how you play 40 minutes of basketball.
Illinois picked up its most impressive win of the early season in a BIG way. The Illini (7-3, 1-1) did just enough to hold off a late rally from the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines (8-2, 1-1) on Wednesday evening at the State Farm Center in Champaign, 71-62.
Jan. 25, 2020: Illinois alone atop the Big Ten after season sweep of Michigan
It’s late January and the Illinois Fighting Illini are the sole owners of first place in the Big Ten.
The Illini (15-5, 7-2) picked up their third straight Big Ten road win and sixth overall in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a 64-62 victory over the Michigan Wolverines.
March 2, 2021: No. 4 Illinois routs No. 2 Michigan, 76-53
One of the teams that played Tuesday night in Ann Arbor could win the whole thing next month in Indianapolis.
Even without Ayo Dosunmu for the third straight game, No. 4 Illinois (19-6, 15-4 Big Ten) traveled to Michigan (18-2, 13-2 Big Ten) and dominated the No. 2 Wolverines — a ranking Juwan Howard’s squad has held for less than 48 hours. A suffocating defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack fueled the Illini to a 76-53 victory, the program’s first-ever over a top-two team on the road.
Jan. 14, 2022: Illinois outlasts Dickinson-less Wolverines; Frazier comes up clutch again
There’s gritty Big Ten games, and then there’s whatever that was at State Farm Center on Friday night.
The result of neither team finding an offensive rhythm? A combined 44-of-107 from the field and 7-of-30 from deep, but it was the Illini that edged out the Wolverines in Champaign, 68-53.
Feb. 27, 2022: Illinois keeps B1G title hopes alive, outlasts Michigan
Illinois’ Big Ten title hopes aren’t dead yet.
The Illini desperately needed a win on Sunday to keep pace with Wisconsin and Purdue atop the Big Ten leaderboard, and the Illini left Ann Arbor, Mich., with its fifth-straight victory over the Wolverines, 93-85.
March 2, 2023: ‘Been there, done that before’: Senior heroics lead Illinois in 2OT thriller vs. Michigan
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — State Farm Center was rocking for one last time this season, and neither team disappointed.
In Thursday night’s high-stakes affair to determine a potential six-way tie for second place in the Big Ten, Michigan came to town looking to spoil Senior Night for grad transfers Matthew Mayer and Terrence Shannon Jr.
Despite being without starting point guard Jayden Epps due to a concussion, Illinois used a barrage of highlight-reel dunks to maintain a late lead over Michigan.
A Wolverines’ last-minute comeback forced overtime, and both teams battled down to the wire in what was a double-overtime classic. In dramatic fashion, senior leaders Shannon and Mayer combined for 45 points, and Illinois prevailed over Michigan, 91-87.
Jan. 18, 2024: Big second-half run sparks No. 14 Illinois’ win at Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — This one was close, until it wasn’t.
With just over 14 minutes to play in Thursday’s contest at Crisler Arena, Illinois was hanging on by a thread to a one-point lead following a Michigan 7-0 run. How did the visitors respond? A 17-2 run over the next six minutes.
The run kept Illinois up somewhat comfortably the rest of the way, to eventually end up winning a road game in conference play 88-73.
Feb. 13, 2024: Shannon Jr. explodes for 31 in No. 14 Illinois’ romp over Michigan
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — What’s new?
Brad Underwood & Co. once again were able to get it done against Juwan Howard and Michigan.
Terrence Shannon Jr. (31 points) had his best game since returning from suspension, and No. 14 Illinois secured the season sweep of Michigan in a bounce-back 97-68 win Tuesday night at State Farm Center. Howard’s Wolverines are now 0-8 against the Illini.
March 2, 2025: Illinois inching toward ceiling in annihilation of Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — That’s nine straight against the Wolverines.
The Illini ran away with the game Sunday afternoon in the second half thanks to a dominant performance on the glass, beating Michigan 93-73 for their second straight win. The win helps Illinois establish some sense of momentum with just one game left in the regular season (Friday vs. a scuffling Purdue) ahead of the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.
