Illini Basketball 2026-2027

[Combo]

We are positionless and also not positionless at the same time.

Vaaks is the point guard / primary ball hander the same way Keaton was last year. The same way KJ was the year before.

He’s just too tall for some people’s liking, but that’s really not the staff’s problem. They’ll recruit the guys that give us the best chance to win.

Agree that Vaaks is the PG - people arguing otherwise haven't watched him play. IMO he's literally the perfect fit for what we want out of our PG (at least offensively - and defensively he usually won't be defending the opponent's PG).

On the last point - there may be such people. But at the same time, there seem to be more people that get aroused at the idea of the tallest lineup possible, regardless if the kid can actually play at a high level. If they had their way, I think a few would just put the twins, JJ, Mirk, and the next tallest guy on the floor and think we automatically win cause we're taller.

As you said, we're "positionless and also not positionless at the same time." I love Underwood, but he tends to say a lot of stuff that shouldn't be taken literally.

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

Shroedinger's Illini

It all comes down to whether we actually observe the positions.

 

[RandyfromTuscola]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2081824528812921251

2026-27 Men's Basketball Schedule

2026-27 Men's Basketball Schedule

mutigers.com

Mizzou playing 3 games in 5 days in 3 different stadiums 12/18 at Indiana, 12/20 Braggin Rights in STL, and the 12/22 vs Chicago State at Home. That's some crazy scheduling. Even if the Chicago State game is a easy game, they are going to be struggling that week.

 

[WyattEarp]

Yeah, I dont see it.

Morillo is our projected 8th man. If those guys were that good, then the rankings gap between them and Morillo wouldn't be 100-150 spots. That's a very sizeable difference (again, Wagler was the exception).

The top 8 is the top 8.

Whether one of those guys can be the 9th man and provide 5-10 minutes, would be my question.

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree. People put far too much stock in rankings IMO.

 

[zentrails]

Hope to see Williams get some minutes, dude is a dog and would be a great energy and defensive piece off the bench.

I'm hoping we get to see a lot of Williams because we are blowing teams out

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

I'm hoping we get to see a lot of Williams because we are blowing teams out

Yep.

If he's playing legitimate minutes, then its likely a result of Morillo underperforming and not living up to expectations (which isn't ideal).

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Yep.

If he's playing legitimate minutes, then its likely a result of Morillo underperforming and not living up to expectations (which isn't ideal).

Or because he’s good.

A possibility that can’t be ruled out

 

[Noblesville Illini]

Or because he’s good.

A possibility that can’t be ruled out

After the Wagler phenomenon, we can’t rule ANYTHING out!

 

[the juiceman cometh]

Or because he’s good.

A possibility that can’t be ruled out

What, you think we're USC or something?

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

I'm hoping we get to see a lot of Williams because we are blowing teams out

I hope we're blowing teams out BECAUSE we see a lot of Williams.

 

[HoopsterMan]

Height does not determine point guard, here we go again lol.

Have you actually watched him? He's not fast, he's a straight line dribbler. He's not a change of direction kind of guy, he's all downhill. NOT a traditional ballhandler. If you listened to any of the hesitations around this roster, it will be around the lack of PG/ballhandling. 3/4 of his FG attempts were 3's. He's more of a shooter.

 

[HoopsterMan]

I don’t think it’s crazy to think Coleman could be better than Keaton on defense - especially considering the energy burden put on Keaton offensively.

Boswell versus Vaaks sure - but Vaaks is bigger and that’s the style we want.

Mirk should take a jump defensively

Andrej did take a jump.

Coleman will be a much better defender - kid is an animal, led U18 in reboundings and averaged a dub dub as a guard. High motor kid.

 

[HoopsterMan]

Most satisfying regular season win?

Duke
UConn
Michigan

 

[mysterio2525]

Most satisfying regular season win?

Duke
UConn
Michigan

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Most satisfying regular season win?

Duke
UConn
Michigan

Michigan. Conference game.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Most satisfying regular season win?

Duke
UConn
Michigan

Duke because it’s the best team.

You could talk me into Michigan since it’s a conference game. I just think Duke on the road would be most fruitful for our tournament seeding.

 

[jimbo72]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2081824528812921251

2026-27 Men's Basketball Schedule

2026-27 Men's Basketball Schedule

mutigers.com

Wow, December is no the month of Giving for Mizzou. I love it. Brutal!

 

[LvilleILL1]

Yeah, I dont see it.

Morillo is our projected 8th man. If those guys were that good, then the rankings gap between them and Morillo wouldn't be 100-150 spots. That's a very sizeable difference (again, Wagler was the exception).

The top 8 is the top 8.

Whether one of those guys can be the 9th man and provide 5-10 minutes, would be my question.

Did we learn nothing from what just happened last season?

Williams isn't some scrub player. He was one of the best players in Illinois, was a top 100 recruit for most of high school, and really only dropped because of non basketball stuff.

 

[LvilleILL1]

Morillo, Williams, and Brown have all looked like guys that can contribute. Hence why the staff will continue to evaluate and give them all chances.

Said it months ago on Brown, he was very under ranked. Morillo is a very talented player offensively and will make an impact. Williams has been the biggest surprise of anyone, which is great for depth.

 

[DB11Headband]

Here’s a take:

There will be games where LW is the first player off the bench

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Here’s a take:

There will be games where LW is the first player off the bench

Where the #9thMan becomes the #6thMan?

 

[I-L-L 1318]

Here’s a take:

There will be games where LW is the first player off the bench

tough decisions incoming. What a problem to have.

 

[lstewart53x3]

Here’s a take:

There will be games where LW is the first player off the bench

We have our 6th man?

 

[TwinCityBreaker]

Mizzou playing 3 games in 5 days in 3 different stadiums 12/18 at Indiana, 12/20 Braggin Rights in STL, and the 12/22 vs Chicago State at Home. That's some crazy scheduling. Even if the Chicago State game is a easy game, they are going to be struggling that week.

Alright I will bite on this. Not going to ever give them love (got angrily shooed out of the Kiel Center as a pep band member after a late 90s Braggin' Rights loss by fans, ushers, police, and probably the garbage men). BUT! I think recent seasons have shown that there is very little downside to this sort of aggressive scheduling. We have our own measured (way more measured) version of it. I hope Missouri can prove me wrong and blow it all. The big risk, and difference from what Illinois is doing, is the inclusion of the odd Chicago St matchup, which is absolutely fraught with danger coming off the previous two games.

 

[illini0440]

Here’s a take:

There will be games where LW is the first player off the bench

Lou Williams? Hell ya, finally some veteran leadership