Friday CBB Best Bets Feb. 27: Can Illinois rebound against Michigan?

Friday features a relatively light college basketball slate with several mid-major teams and a pair of high-major schools taking the floor on the 27th day of February 2026. Will George Washington beat Dayton by 4 points or more at the Charles E. Smith Center in D.C.? Can #3 Michigan go on the road, win, and cover against #10 Illinois? Read on for our Friday CBB Best Bets Feb. 27 article.

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CBB Best Bet: Dayton +3.5 over George Washington

I like the Flyers here. Dayton is well-positioned to cover the 3.5-point spread against George Washington because of their current momentum and historical dominance in this series.

Coming into Friday, having covered in four straight games, the Flyers have also proven reliable in situational spots, posting a 10-8 ATS record after a victory and an 8-6 ATS mark on equal rest this year.

The Flyers’ track record against the Revolutionaries is particularly dominant, going 8-2 straight up and 7-3 ATS in their last ten games against George Washington. Expect Dayton’s veteran composure to keep this contest tight throughout, as the Flyers should have a good shot at pulling the outright upset. Final score projection: DAYTON FLYERS 78, GEORGE WASHINGTON REVOLUTIONARIES 73.

CBB Best Bet: Michigan -1.5 over Illinois

I’m taking the Wolverines in this one. Michigan is poised to cover the 1.5-point spread as road favorites against Illinois by leaning on their ability to perform in high-stakes environments.

Michigan has been particularly sharp against elite competition this season, boasting a 5-2 ATS record against ranked opponents in 2025-26. Their recent momentum is evident, as they have covered the spread in 5 of their last 8 games overall.

With a solid 13-12 ATS mark coming off a victory, the Wolverines’ disciplined defense and offensive execution should allow them to navigate a tough road atmosphere and secure the narrow cover in Champaign. Final score projection: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES 76, ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI 73.