Kevin Warren addresses B1G's decision to not award Illinois share of men's basketball title for 2020-21

Illinois and Michigan were neck-and-neck for the regular season Big Ten men’s basketball title last season.

However, a COVID-19 outbreak took several games from Michigan’s season. The Wolverines ended up going 14-3 with an .824 winning percentage.

Illinois played three more games than Michigan, going 16-4, and posted a .800 winning percentage.

The Big Ten’s athletic directors, alongside commissioner Kevin Warren, opted to give the regular season title to Michigan based on winning percentage — a decision that Illinois objected to.

On Thursday morning at B1G basketball media day, Warren backed up that choice.

“I feel we made the right decision collectively with all the athletic directors and conference staff,” Warren told reporters in Indianapolis. “”I’ve told [Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman] I really appreciate and embrace his passion.”

Kevin Warren asked about Illinois wanting to be co-champs last year (Michigan won the league outright): "I feel we made the right decision collectively with all the athletic directors and conference staff."

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) October 7, 2021

Just asked Kevin Warren about not awarding Illinois a share of B1G regular season title.

"I feel we made the right decision collectively" as ADs. Have great respect for Whitman and coaches and student-athletes.

"I've told Josh I really appreciate and embrace his passion."

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 7, 2021

Illinois went on to win the Big Ten conference tournament last season before exiting in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Illinois and Michigan are likely to be contending for the Big Ten regular season title again this year. Michigan was picked to win the Big Ten in an annual media poll while the Illini finished in third.

The college basketball season begins in early November.