{"id":618440,"date":"2026-02-26T21:57:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T21:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/618440\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T21:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T21:57:10","slug":"jake-davis-on-morez-johnsons-return-to-illinois-itll-be-good-for-him-to-return-to-what-couldve-been","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/618440\/","title":{"rendered":"Jake Davis on Morez Johnson’s return to Illinois: ‘It’ll be good for him to return to what could’ve been’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michigan<\/a><\/strong> star forward Morez Johnson Jr.<\/a><\/strong> will return and face his former program, Illinois<\/a><\/strong>, on Friday night. It will be a blockbuster Big Ten matchup.<\/p>\n

Johnson Jr. was a key contributor for the Illini last season as a freshman, averaging 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. He transferred to Michigan<\/strong> following the season and has been stellar for Dusty May<\/a><\/strong>\u2018s Wolverines this year, averaging 13.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in a much more prominent role.<\/p>\n

Heading into March, No. 3 Michigan<\/strong> sits at 26-2 and seems poised to nab a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. Ahead of Johnson\u2019s return to the State Farm Center, former teammate Jake Davis<\/a><\/strong> spoke about what could have been, had he returned to Champaign for another season.<\/p>\n

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Illinois’ Jake Davis on Morez Johnson returning \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n

“I think he’s gonna hear it. Fans are gonna let him know, as they should. He left. Nothing against it, love Morez but I think it’ll be good for him to return to what could’ve been, what he could’ve had”pic.twitter.com\/oKBLHSoLPw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 26, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s gonna hear it,\u201d Davis said. \u201cFans are going to let him know, as they should. He left. Nothing against it. I love Morez, but I think it will be good for him to return to what could have been and what he could have had.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Johnson Jr. was a massive loss in the Transfer Portal, Illinois<\/strong> has enjoyed a strong season as well in the Big Ten. The Illini are ranked No. 10 in the latest AP Poll and sit at 22-6 on the season, projected as a No. 3 seed in On3\u2019s latest Bracketology<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These teams have not met in conference play yet, meaning this is the first time that Johnson Jr. will be facing some of his former teammates. Last season, the Fighting Illini finished with a 20-11 regular season record and earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. After knocking off No. 11 Xavier<\/a><\/strong> in the Round of 64, Illinois<\/strong> fell to No. 3 seed Kentucky<\/a><\/strong> in the Round of 32.<\/p>\n

Michigan and Illinois are ranked in top-ten of AP Poll heading down final stretch of regular season<\/p>\n

Heading into the game, Illinois<\/strong> has lost three of its last five conference games after opening Big Ten play with an unblemished 10-0 record. Two of these three losses have come against unranked opponents (Wisconsin<\/a><\/strong> and UCLA<\/a><\/strong>), with the other coming against No. 10 Michigan State<\/a><\/strong> on the road. Michigan<\/strong>, meanwhile, bounced back from its non-conference loss to No. 3 Duke<\/a><\/strong> with a 10-point victory over Minnesota<\/a><\/strong> on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The Wolverines are a stellar 16-1 in conference play with games against No. 10 Illinois<\/strong>, Iowa<\/a><\/strong>, and No. 13 Michigan State<\/strong> remaining on their slate. The program has not finished conference play with one loss since the 1964-65 season, which saw them advance to the National Championship Game. They have previously finished with two Big Ten losses on seven different occasions, with the last coming in 1984-85.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s safe to say the atmosphere for Friday night\u2019s game will be wild, especially with Johnson\u2019s homecoming. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.<\/p>\n