Illini Basketball 2026-2027

#477      
Combo
IlliniWu said:
Seeing Vaak's highlights, he seems pretty quick and athletic enough, and he's a bucket. The Illini offense this year was pretty good. With shooters and bucket getters like Coleman and Vaaks coming in, Stojakovic maybe a potential B1G POY candidate (Calling that), I'm thinking this team will be even better on offense.

Coleman, Vaaks and Stojakovic are all potential 1st rounders. A ton of talent on this team.
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And Mirk is likely our best player, even if not as good an NBA prospect as those three.
 
#478      
Brosky
Combo said:
And Mirk is likely our best player, even if not as good an NBA prospect as those three.
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That's a very good observation; I said earlier he's one of those smart players (like Lou Henson liked to say) who lets the game come to him.
 
#479      
Fly Illini Fly!
Combo said:
And Mirk is likely our best player, even if not as good an NBA prospect as those three.
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I feel like this is less clear cut than it's made to be. It heavily depends on how you define "best player."

If the question is "who is most likely to lead the team in scoring?" Andrej is the safest and likeliest bet.

If the question is "who leads the team when we add up pts / rebs / ast?" Mirk is the safest and likeliest bet.

I really don't think either guy will need to be too much different from what they were last season. Just continue to get better at the things you're good at.

Andrej's increased points will come from increased PT (only 26 minutes / game last season). His points per minute and points per possession were elite. Add in a improved shot, he could be one of the best scoring options in the B10.

Mirk has the best all around impact on this team, and it's not close.
 
#480      
Brosky
With so many quality newcomers, I just wish there was some way to keep them all happy.
 
#482      
CoalCity
Fly Illini Fly! said:
I feel like this is less clear cut than it's made to be. It heavily depends on how you define "best player."

If the question is "who is most likely to lead the team in scoring?" Andrej is the safest and likeliest bet.

If the question is "who leads the team when we add up pts / rebs / ast?" Mirk is the safest and likeliest bet.

I really don't think either guy will need to be too much different from what they were last season. Just continue to get better at the things you're good at.

Andrej's increased points will come from increased PT (only 26 minutes / game last season). His points per minute and points per possession were elite. Add in a improved shot, he could be one of the best scoring options in the B10.

Mirk has the best all around impact on this team, and it's not close.
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Agree about Andrej with the caveat that his glass ankles stay healthy. If he plays as healthy all season as he did in the tournaments he's gonna be a major problem for the opponents. And major entertainment for us fans.
 
#483      
wncillini
Im bringing my daughters in from carolina for a game this fall and I asked them if they would wear custom printed t shirts for the game.....

They all loved the video were mirk mentions 3 of his top 5 movies of all time...the Truman show, interstellar, and air bud...

Was going to do a print of those with mirks face or something mashed with the movies on a t shirt

They all vetoed the idea.
 
#484      
NarrowJ
CoalCity said:
Agree about Andrej with the caveat that his glass ankles stay healthy. If he plays as healthy all season as he did in the tournaments he's gonna be a major problem for the opponents. And major entertainment for us fans.
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Knee in September that caused him to miss the opener

Mild ankle sprain in late November

High ankle sprain in early February

Ankle sprains are indisputably the most common injury in basketball, so idk if its any major concern
 
#486      
bbpeoria
Fly Illini Fly! said:
I feel like this is less clear cut than it's made to be. It heavily depends on how you define "best player."

If the question is "who is most likely to lead the team in scoring?" Andrej is the safest and likeliest bet.

If the question is "who leads the team when we add up pts / rebs / ast?" Mirk is the safest and likeliest bet.

I really don't think either guy will need to be too much different from what they were last season. Just continue to get better at the things you're good at.

Andrej's increased points will come from increased PT (only 26 minutes / game last season). His points per minute and points per possession were elite. Add in a improved shot, he could be one of the best scoring options in the B10.

Mirk has the best all around impact on this team, and it's not close.
Click to expand...
I'm just not sold that Mirk will be the best player despite (the deserved) hype. I could easily see Vaaks, Stoj or even Tomi as the top player. Tomi playing more at the level he did two seasons ago would be huge. He was my favorite player on that team. The great thing is any of them and maybe even Coleman can be the best Illini player for any given game.
 
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