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Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Illini, according to ESPN, appear to have a different outlook entering the 2026-27 season than most would have expected

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The Illini, according to ESPN, appear to have a different outlook entering the 2026-27 season than most would have expected

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Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) is defended by Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

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Early reports have indicated a quick road to recovery for Mirkovic, so how might he and the Illini be affected by a short absence?

Nov 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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With David Mirkovic having undergone surgery on his left foot Tuesday, how do the Illini move forward without him?

Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after a made three point basket against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Illinois' Ivisic may have taken a slight step backwards in 2025-26, but could he still be the conference's best center?

Nov 14, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the tip of the game with the Colgate Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini appear to have an absolute star in Quentin Coleman, who displayed his diverse skill set in recently-released highlight clips

Dec 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Southern University Jaguars at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini are expected to coast through the majority of their Big Ten slate, but there are a few games that could trip them up

Nov 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) looks to pass the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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Mirkovic enters 2026-27 as one of the best players in college basketball, but is there anyone who can challenge him as the Big Ten's top power forward?

Michigan State's Divine Ugochukwu, right, meets with Illinois' head coach Brad Underwood before the game on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

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The Illini are seeking their first Big Ten title since 2022, but these three games may stand in their way

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) drives the ball around Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Pryce Sandfort (21) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Big Ten has a deep position group at small forward, with a combination of elite freshmen and proven returners

July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK

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Illinois freshman Quentin Coleman is expected to be a valuable contributor from Day 1 – but is he already in the top tier of Big Ten shooting guards?

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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The Illini appear to be firmly in the mix for 2028 prospect Dylan Betts, a 7-foot-3 big man with incredible upside

Nov 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks to the court before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini appear to be in the thick of the race for Bowman, a high-scoring guard from California

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

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The Illini threw their hat in the ring for top-ranked 2028 recruit Williams, an ultra-dynamic player on both ends of the floor

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) and guard Keaton Wagler (23) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Some former Illinois players excelled in the 2026 NBA Summer League, others played their role to perfection and one struggled

Jan 17, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini are setting up a visit with a four-star forward in the 2027 class, while a key 2028 in-state target was named the first EYBL 16U MVP ever

Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

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The Illini extended an offer to Benjmain Berrouet, a versatile, high-upside forward from the class of 2028

Dec 2, 2025; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

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The Big Ten is loaded with talent at lead guard, but does the Illini's Stefan Vaaks – a superb shooter and playmaker – fit in?

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) talks with forward David Mirkovic (0) during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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Illinois on SI selects the ultimate starting lineup from Underwood-coached Illini – an exercise that's quickly growing more difficult

Jan 23, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the tipoff of a game with the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini are in action behind the scenes, and even though the regular season is months away, they gave us a glimpse of what's to come

Jan 14, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

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The Illini will be loaded with talent next season, but it will be up to Brad Underwood to determine how to best utilize it

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The Illini are capable of a monumental season in 2026-27, but is the high-water mark really a national title?

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Expectations are through the roof for the Illini, but there are possibilities that could bring next season crashing down around them

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) is defended by Penn Quakers guard AJ Levine (0) Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

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Keaton Wagler hushed any (far too early) critiques on Sunday night, Will Riley dominated, and other Illini starred in their roles

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The Illini should be one of the best teams in the country, but they aren't a finished product – especially on one end of the floor

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This experienced Illini squad already checks a lot of boxes, but there are some unknowns as well – even for the returners