I'd take the over on at least 2 of those.
No mention of the Ivisic Bros either.
Illini Basketball 2026-2027
No mention of the Ivisic Bros either.
UNC currently ranks 53rd in torvik (were 4th). I can’t recall the exact Q1 cutoff for neutral sites but I think that’s pretty close. Hopefully they outplay their ranking. Don’t want to risk a Q2 loss.
I’m not complaining in the grand scheme, that’s just a nitpick. Considering the places this team can go, playing top talent in non conference is the correct move.
I’m not complaining in the grand scheme, that’s just a nitpick. Considering the places this team can go, playing top talent in non conference is the correct move.
hooraybeer
- Peoria, IL
marquee matchups that continue to elevate the brand are definitely worth any possible short term set back
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Athletics 2027 mock Sam Vecenie: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7368866/2026/06/25/nba-draft-2027-prospects-tyran-stokes/
Mirk #13
Coleman #18
No one else in top 48.
Mirk #13
Coleman #18
No one else in top 48.
IMO those both seem way too high IMO. Though the one from Jeremy Woo previously posted earlier seems too low (unfavorable) for some.
I think Vaaks is our most likely to get in 1st round. I just think his offensive skills will really be showcased with the way we play. But he's got to be reasonably decent defensively.
Mirk is a tough one to predict - he's an excellent college player, but with the lack of run-jump athleticism, I wonder if NBA execs will see his game translating. That said Jokic isn't much of a run-jump athlete and he's perennial 1st team NBA. And I consider Mirk a poor man's Jokic.
I think Coleman is just right. Mirk is too high. (I think David is our best or second best player, but NBA prospect is a different deal)
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I am all for our players advancing to their dream of playing in the NBA. But losing those 4, along with the twins.....YIKES!!!!! That will require some serious reloading.
ps- And I am a fan of our freshman class.
With the amount of NIL we can offer, it's very unlikely we lose all 4. Sure it's possible; just very unlikely.
We can go through it with every team. In the NIL era, how many teams have had 4 guys with college eligibility declare for the draft? For instance, 2024 Duke was stacked, but they only had 3 (Kon, Cooper, and Maluach).
None of our guys are seen as lock first rounders (as seen with that mock).
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
If we win this game, I think smashing the guitar trophy has to happen again. That becomes “our thing.”
Then frame the pieces again.
Agree with all of this and I love both Coleman and Mirk but I don't see top twenty right now...maybe later. Vaaks may be the talk of the country at times this year.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
I agree UNC should have been home home. Or at least United Center and Chapel Hill
Hi Illini fans, an Estonian member here. Thought I’d share some excerpts from Stefan Vaaks’ interview with our media before the national team’s upcoming matches to satisfy post-draft boredom. I’ll skip posting the original link since after a direct translation error and some unintended drama with some Providence fans last year, I figured it’s safer if I just translate the relevant parts myself 
D
"I've gained some muscle. At one point, I weighed around 220lbs, atm 215. That's ok, before leaving, they told me to eat a lot"
"His height was measured as 199 cm barefoot. With sneakers, he is 202 cm."
"Vaaks will return to the US on July 10th"
"Before committing to Illinois, I said that I wanted to represent my country's national team. They didn't have anything against it - if that was my wish, it would be respected, they were all for it. And they added that if I found a good offensive motion, I could bring it there."
"I am very happy with the decision, and so far, I can say that the situation is much, much better than in Providence"
"We have six or seven more experienced players and many young players who are fighting for the eighth or ninth place on the team"
"I got along really well with everyone, they're down to earth. Everyone is out there for a common goal - we want to win. Especially after last season, when they reached the Final Four."
D"I've gained some muscle. At one point, I weighed around 220lbs, atm 215. That's ok, before leaving, they told me to eat a lot"
"His height was measured as 199 cm barefoot. With sneakers, he is 202 cm."
"Vaaks will return to the US on July 10th"
"Before committing to Illinois, I said that I wanted to represent my country's national team. They didn't have anything against it - if that was my wish, it would be respected, they were all for it. And they added that if I found a good offensive motion, I could bring it there."
"I am very happy with the decision, and so far, I can say that the situation is much, much better than in Providence"
"We have six or seven more experienced players and many young players who are fighting for the eighth or ninth place on the team"
"I got along really well with everyone, they're down to earth. Everyone is out there for a common goal - we want to win. Especially after last season, when they reached the Final Four."
hooraybeer
- Peoria, IL
Hi Illini fans, an Estonian member here. Thought I’d share some excerpts from Stefan Vaaks’ interview with our media before the national team’s upcoming matches to satisfy post-draft boredom. I’ll skip posting the original link since after a direct translation error and some unintended drama with some Providence fans last year, I figured it’s safer if I just translate the relevant parts myself
"I've gained some muscle. At one point, I weighed around 220lbs, atm 215. That's ok, before leaving, they told me to eat a lot"
"His height was measured as 199 cm barefoot. With sneakers, he is 202 cm."
"Vaaks will return to the US on July 10th"
"Before committing to Illinois, I said that I wanted to represent my country's national team. They didn't have anything against it - if that was my wish, it would be respected, they were all for it. And they added that if I found a good offensive motion, I could bring it there."
"I am very happy with the decision, and so far, I can say that the situation is much, much better than in Providence"
"We have six or seven more experienced players and many young players who are fighting for the eighth or ninth place on the team"
"I got along really well with everyone, they're down to earth. Everyone is out there for a common goal - we want to win. Especially after last season, when they reached the Final Four."
Personally I think Mirk is our most important player, has a massive impact, and a guy we need to stay healthy. But, with that said i really think the guy i expect the most improvement from last year are Tomi and the incoming freshman Coleman. The floors of Vaaks, Dre and Z are pretty high and i still expect each to improve a good bit as well. I think Tomi will shoot it like he did in the tourney and get more looks in the post than last year. I hope we get an entire year of Mirm and Tomi staying close to 100%.
