So we're winning every game 100-35! May need to add some NBA teams to the schedule.
Illini Basketball 2026-2027
Agree. Jake was part of our best five man lineup last year.
The thing is, it's not about what Jake does, necessarily, it's about what having him on the floor allows everyone else to do. I would be so bold as to argue that every single player is better when they're on the floor with Jake. He gives everyone else space, makes himself easy to find for kick outs, never looks for his own shot, just takes them when they're open, rarely turns it over.
Now, that doesn't mean he's "better" than some of the guys he's in front of. Might not even be one of the top 8 or 9 picks if you were playing three on three or something - but he plays his role as well as any one.
Also, his hair.
This is awesome. Thanks!
Any update on a premiere non-conference home game this year? These other games are great, but missing out on North Carolina, UConn, and Duke this year at home kind of stinks. I understand these are part of other agreements and a big non-conference game is better than none, but where is the love for the State Farm Center. Texas Tech home/home was nice, but that is not a premiere program that draws national attention.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Info |
| Mon, Nov 2 | Fairleigh Dickinson | State Farm Center | Link |
| Tue, Nov 10 | at Texas Tech | United Supermarkets Arena (Lubbock, TX) | Link |
| Tue, Nov 17 | at Duke | Cameron Indoor Stadium (Durham, NC) | Link |
| Fri, Dec 4 | UConn | United Center (Chicago, IL) | Link |
| Missouri | Enterprise Center (St. Louis, MO) | ||
| Sat, Jan 30 | North Carolina | Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN) | Link |
No wonder season ticket prices jumped again. Nothing but buy games this year.
We could wipe the slate clean on a couple dark days with wins in November and Early-December. Lord, beating Duke and UConn would be so cathartic. UConn more than Duke, since their fans suck so much, but man would I love a win against both.
Thank you for your service to the Illini Familly. I noticed that you have given us the starting five and they sound like they can be national champions.
Keep filling our belly with the great information that you supply, but you know that an Illini fan never has a filled belly.
ILL
Anyone who watched the U18 FIBA America Cup is not surprised by QC's rebounding prowess. Kid crashes hard and has a bit of a knack for finding the ball.
I've been team Mirk since day 1. He was awesome last year, and yet when you re-watch the games, there was so much potential for him to be even more if he could slow down just a touch. He may not lead the team in scoring, but he is going to stuff the stat sheet every night. He has the skill set to be a CBB version of Jokic, not saying he will be that type of player at the next level, but is a guy who has a chance to lead the team in scoring, rebounding, and/or assists every single night. Very real possibility he is in the running for B1G POY, with some modest and achievable improvements.
Glad to hear Tomi is stepping up. He has flashed so many times, but has been plagued by inconsistency due to illness and injury. This is his last, best chance to show NBA scouts what he can do. He has enough of everything (size, shooting, vision, passing) to have a decent career at the next level, he's just got to put it on tape consistently.
I see a lot of waffles and beet juice in the immediate future of the freshmen...
I've been team Mirk since day 1. He was awesome last year, and yet when you re-watch the games, there was so much potential for him to be even more if he could slow down just a touch. He may not lead the team in scoring, but he is going to stuff the stat sheet every night. He has the skill set to be a CBB version of Jokic, not saying he will be that type of player at the next level, but is a guy who has a chance to lead the team in scoring, rebounding, and/or assists every single night. Very real possibility he is in the running for B1G POY, with some modest and achievable improvements.
Glad to hear Tomi is stepping up. He has flashed so many times, but has been plagued by inconsistency due to illness and injury. This is his last, best chance to show NBA scouts what he can do. He has enough of everything (size, shooting, vision, passing) to have a decent career at the next level, he's just got to put it on tape consistently.
I see a lot of waffles and beet juice in the immediate future of the freshmen...
I think Vaaks leads the team in minutes. Our assist leader is literally always our minutes leader.
I think a great comp for Mirk is actually Luka Garza in terms of style, play and potential output. Luka had a similar freshman year, then his sophomore year dealt with some injuries and setbacks, so I think looking at Garza's junior year as what we could hope for Mirk.
I imagine if he has that type of year based on what the odds makers say (National player of the year odds) then he goes pro. I don't think we'll see 4 years with Mirk and likely next will be his last if he meets expectations.
Luka Garza in his junior season averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds.
I think Mirk is very good, but that’s an unrealistic prediction / standard to hope for. (we don’t need it either; this team has plenty of offensive firepower)
Leading scorer is your best player
Probably? To be fair he said style of play. Honestly I think the biggest barrier is how good this team is shaping up to be. He's not sharing touches with Joe Wieskamp and some bums (aka McCaffery bros).
If you gave Mirk 17+ attempts & 33% USG a game it would be obtainable (and we would likely finish just barely in the top 25).
With 12 FGA & 25 USG I think 18 and 10 is a obtainable and successful season (and if we're top 10 that's an AA season).
He said Garza's junior season is what we "hope for Mirk."
Wieskamp averaged 14/game, and played in the NBA.
Garza was a monster. He averaged 24&10, was a two time NPOY, and one of the best college players ever. No I do not think that's a reasonable "hope" or expectation for Mirkovic (or any active CBB player for that matter).
Agreed about our team being very talented offensively.
Yeah, well... that's not going to happen. And also, Garza was 30.4% usage, not 33%.
Very rarely are power conference players 33% usage (and usually those teams are not very good). Dybantsa for example was 33.5 (which makes his recent comment saying he was too "passive" quite ludicrous).
Perhaps that's more realistic than Garza, though as of today, I still think it's more unlikely than likely. Vaaks, Stojakovic, Coleman, Tomi will all have their fair share of shots and points.
.....
The thing about points is that there's only so many to go around.
How many points is the team scoring? That's what determines how many points you have to DISTRIBUTE amongst your roster. We won't play at a super fast pace (though it might be a tad faster than last year), so even with supreme efficiency, the points aren't unlimited. For example, last season we only scored 82.1 points per 40 (1.249 • 65.7). Our efficiency was historic though.
So, about those points distributed (and shots distributed)... Tomi / Vaaks / Andrej / Coleman will all have a huge say in that. And deservedly so -- all superbly talented players.
.....
I personally see Mirkovic having an elite ALL AROUND impact. If you add up points + rebounds + assists, I think it's highly likely Mirk will lead the team in that department.
So all things considered, he is our best player. Not from a 20ppg volume scoring standpoint, but in terms of the variety of ways you help your team win.
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Expecting Morillo to play the Ben minutes.
22.5 minutes/game?
That would mean he's 6th man and then some, outplaying both Z and Jake.
Pretty massive role considering circumstances of being on a top 5 team returning 5 rotation guys (especially being that he's not a 5 star).
If you look at previous POY stats, 4 of the last 5 were 20 and 10 guys and almost everyone averaged 20 pts in the last 25 years.
If Mirk is considered a top 5-10 guy preseason, he's going to be averaging close to 20.
LvilleILL1 said "improvements have been made" which tells me he's either shooting more threes or getting to the line more.
We don't need him to give us 20 and 10, but he very well could and our other guys still get theirs too.
If Mirk is considered a top 5-10 guy preseason, he's going to be averaging close to 20.
LvilleILL1 said "improvements have been made" which tells me he's either shooting more threes or getting to the line more.
We don't need him to give us 20 and 10, but he very well could and our other guys still get theirs too.
Neither of the last two big ten player of the years averaged more than 15/game.
Sure, but I'm talking about NATIONAL player of the year, which Mirk has currently really strong odds toward right now in the summer. It's 9 months until this is all awarded, but again, if LvilleILL1 is saying he's a contender for national player of the year, and the betting markets identify that as well, and then you look at the stats of the last 25 NATIONAL player of the year recipients, it seems like it wouldn't be that crazy if Mirk averaged 20 and 10.
How do we even know Mirk will be our leading scorer?
Stojakovic last season played 3 LESS MINUTES per game, and averaged more points.
I'd expect minutes to be equal between the two next year (assuming Andrej's healthy). And Andrej will likely improve his 3 ball.
Stojakovic last season played 3 LESS MINUTES per game, and averaged more points.
I'd expect minutes to be equal between the two next year (assuming Andrej's healthy). And Andrej will likely improve his 3 ball.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
With enough usage, Mirk could hit that mark. Not sure I see the usage/shots though. Vaaks, Andrej, and Coleman will command a lot too. Tomi as well.
Where is this coming from? The 99% favorite for Big Ten Preseason POY is Jeremy Fears (let alone national player of the year for Mirk).