Illini Basketball 2026-2027
Considering Mirk was a true freshman who supposedly has leaned up a ton already and Stojakovic is a senior with NBA aspirations who had a bad ankle a lot of the year, this seems like a crazy take to think they can’t improve.
Tomi, Maybe I can see your point, but even just getting back to his first year quality would be an improvement on last year.
If you took the 25/26 version all returners + Vaaks, that’s a strong team. *IF* we see an improved 26/27 version of Mirk/Vaaks/Stoja/Tomi/Z, that’s championship firepower. All of them won’t pop, some may even take a step back & health is always a factor…We’ll see…but if like, 3 of those dudes improve, see ya in Detroit
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Do we, though? Inside the building, some are saying he’s the best player Brad has ever had. Which would be a small step up from the player he was last year.
This isn’t verifiable, at all.
The sleepers guys are known for spewing narratives for their audience.
If anyone is interested in selling their Mirkovic stock, I’m buying. I’ve got some cottage cheese, a Talking Heads record, and my beach house to trade.
Can’t wait to see him unleashed after this offseason.
Amen brother! This guy passed up the chance to play on his national team to stay here and continue working with Fletch and bonding with the team. Unleashed is the right word
Guards control your ceiling. Bigs control your floor.
No different for any other team.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Okay, sure. How about this:
Mirk was what, a top 100 player in college basketball last year?
This coming year, he’s currently #4 in the Player Of The Year betting odds.
That projection would take him from a B1G Honorable Mention to 1st Team All American.
Like I said, a small step up from the player he was last year.
Stojakovic is who he is and he’s played a ton of minutes in his career. I don’t see much growth there. I don’t see why anyone should expect more. If you’ve played major minutes from FR,SO,JR years are you really gonna be different as a senior? I certainly wouldn’t expect it. I saw this same argument put forth for Boswell his senior year and it didn’t happen for him either. By the time you are a senior and have played a ton you are who you are.
Mirk was already really good as a freshman. He shot 37.5% from 3. But he has also been a pro for a few years now. Much like Tomi, I see lot of these Euro guys as more finished products. Tomi really didn’t make any leaps his second year. In fact he regressed in some ways. I don’t think Mirk will regress, but I think his ceiling is capped due to his athlecism. And again, he shot almost 38% from 3 and was a great rebounder. You really think he will be better than that?
This just came through my feed today and am just posting it for any of our younger Illini fans don't know why we hate Indiana
GOD bless you Lou Henson for fighting the good fight all those years. Your efforts are paying off through all these years and especially now with Brad who doesen't take this kind of crap
I have no idea how Illini fans ever took playing against Bobby Knight
GOD bless you Lou Henson for fighting the good fight all those years. Your efforts are paying off through all these years and especially now with Brad who doesen't take this kind of crap
I have no idea how Illini fans ever took playing against Bobby Knight
Personally I like your attitude and approach, from another insane Homer. Just remember this time last year anyone saying Keaton would be a top 5 draft pick was called,,,,,wait for it,,,,and insane homer
Big Jack
- Decatur
IMHO Mirk is the ultimate team player. He is going to do what wins games, he hates losing. So if that means he needs to score he will, if he needs to rebound and find open teammates he will. I desperately hope all of this preseason yapping about how great he is or will be changes that. Kid is a winner period. Keaton was great but I am not so certain he was the mvp of last year's team.
For my money, Mirk's return is the biggest piece for another run. I think he brings a swagger and attitude that you need to be a championship level team. For individual honors, not that we really care, I wouldn't be surprised if no one is statistically dominant on the team and Vaks gets a lot of press for the role he's given and his shooting.
Torvik 2027 Team Talent Rating
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
But this is the first year Andrej has stayed at a program for more than one season. That makes me think legit improvement is possible.
Tomi was hurt/sick a good part of last season. I think a return to his first-year production or even better is possible.
Mirk - I sort of agree. His lack of run-jump athleticism might cap him. But it's his second year in the program and I think he'll still be very productive. I think Keaton showed us last year that you don't need to be a great run-jump athlete to be really good..
I think this years team has as high a ceiling as last year’s team, maybe higher.
For our returning core:
Sounds like Mirk has taken a leap which isn’t uncommon for a 19-20 year old. I forget which announcer said it last year but he said Mirk was like a poor man’s Cam Boozer and I think that was fair last year. If he improved his athleticism (and the dunks in traffic on the hype videos seem to indicate he has) and if the game slows down for him just a little bit, he could put up something like 18/9/4.
Andrej is older it’s true but this is his first time playing a second year in the same system. Not crazy that he would take a step up. I will admit I was ambivalent about Ben coming back but what a revelation he turned out to be in his second year.
Tomi was playing himself into shape most of the year last year so if he has a full offseason to actually focus on conditioning, he’s a top 3 center in the BIG.
Z looked like an nba player the first half of the year and then faded which has been his MO in college. That suggests to me he’s worn down as the season went on. If he really is up to 260 lbs and he’s able to sustain his first half performance for the entire year I think he gets drafted.
And for our newcomers:
For Vaaks, based on his production last year on a dysfunctional team, not unreasonable to think he will be somewhere between Kasparas and Keaton in our big lead guard role, which is a damn good player.
And based on what I saw at FIBA, Quentin is the absolute perfect player to slot next to our big lead guard, at a minimum. Will do all the little things, rebound, play his a** off and oh, by the way, won the 3 pt contest at the Iverson. Still wouldn’t shock me if he’s our best player/highest draft pick next summer.
Look at the way Brad is scheduling, should tell you all you need to know what he thinks of this team.
For our returning core:
Sounds like Mirk has taken a leap which isn’t uncommon for a 19-20 year old. I forget which announcer said it last year but he said Mirk was like a poor man’s Cam Boozer and I think that was fair last year. If he improved his athleticism (and the dunks in traffic on the hype videos seem to indicate he has) and if the game slows down for him just a little bit, he could put up something like 18/9/4.
Andrej is older it’s true but this is his first time playing a second year in the same system. Not crazy that he would take a step up. I will admit I was ambivalent about Ben coming back but what a revelation he turned out to be in his second year.
Tomi was playing himself into shape most of the year last year so if he has a full offseason to actually focus on conditioning, he’s a top 3 center in the BIG.
Z looked like an nba player the first half of the year and then faded which has been his MO in college. That suggests to me he’s worn down as the season went on. If he really is up to 260 lbs and he’s able to sustain his first half performance for the entire year I think he gets drafted.
And for our newcomers:
For Vaaks, based on his production last year on a dysfunctional team, not unreasonable to think he will be somewhere between Kasparas and Keaton in our big lead guard role, which is a damn good player.
And based on what I saw at FIBA, Quentin is the absolute perfect player to slot next to our big lead guard, at a minimum. Will do all the little things, rebound, play his a** off and oh, by the way, won the 3 pt contest at the Iverson. Still wouldn’t shock me if he’s our best player/highest draft pick next summer.
Look at the way Brad is scheduling, should tell you all you need to know what he thinks of this team.
This is what happens when a shower thought skips the shower....or when a GPS confidently guides you into a body of water.
I have said since we lost. Our offense will run through Mirk. Man, is in shape and ready to run over hot coals.
This team with Vaaks addition, 1 or 2 of our freshman will be factors. Mirks improved shape running quarterback, we will be fun to watch. Andre will be good, as long as him and Vaaks don't fight over who chucks it up 15x a game. We're golden, will miss Boswells leadership, but after he broke hand wasn't close to 100%. Keaton was a baby face assassin. I do predict Tomi and Z will be even better this year and actually for the whole season.
stlrunner
jakeyjakey
- St Louis, MO
I couldn't help but notice you didn't offer up your ninth man in the trade though...
Great new arena.
If Illini ever play an NCAA tourney game there - or a nonconference (Gonzaga plays premium non cons there a lot) opponent, highly recommend to anyone to make the trip and weekend out of it
If Illini ever play an NCAA tourney game there - or a nonconference (Gonzaga plays premium non cons there a lot) opponent, highly recommend to anyone to make the trip and weekend out of it
But Iowa did?