The film does make Landon look very appealing. Almost like he can be a very good b/u with 10-20 more pounds.
Illini Basketball 2026-2027
- Status
We will see. I have to say our staff members are great evaluator. These days our practice pieces look like they can start for Iowa in their sophomore year. I hope that never happens though.
Joel Goodson
- 9th man conundrum
agree w/everything but your JJ take. huge difference between a kid who might become serviceable (spot minutes) and one who could eclipse becoming a solid rotation player
Hereforit
- Littleton, CO
A lot can happen in a year or two within a program of Illinois’ caliber, with all the tools a player could ever hope for at their disposal. It’s there for the taking if he wants it bad enough.
Is it? He's the 12th or 13th man on next year's roster.
For him to crack the rotation next 1-2 years, an overwhelming number of the other guys would have to leave AND the staff needs to pass on filling those departures with transfers.
Ranking the Top 10 Centers in Men’s College Basketball for 2026–27 Season
Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas might be the sport’s best defender with his elite rim protection. Here are the other Cs to watch this season.
www.si.com
By, and large, I accept these preseason lists for what they are. Content for conversation with understood ambiguity.
But Hines, and Thiam for that matter, infront of Tomi is criminal. Hines is disgusting actually
In the sake of context, as a frosh JJ was similar in that he was a solid perimeter shooter, was quite quick for a guy his size, and would take it to the rim without hesitation. In that regard, they are similar. Davis appears to have more skills offensively and is pretty smooth while appearing confident. LD would get my nod for floor time, but neither has seen any significant minutes against high level competition. I still have hopes for JJ, but he has hurdles to clear and who knows the passion he has to clear them?
The determining factor will be what either can do when they try to finish over a B1G All-star PF or center...or stop one from scoring in the paint. Time will tell.
Hines is awesome defensively. Quite possibly the DPOY favorite in the Big East.Ranking the Top 10 Centers in Men’s College Basketball for 2026–27 Season
Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas might be the sport’s best defender with his elite rim protection. Here are the other Cs to watch this season.
By, and large, I accept these preseason lists for what they are. Content for conversation with understood ambiguity.
But Hines, and Thiam for that matter, infront of Tomi is criminal. Hines is disgusting actually
Hmm. Evan Maya DBPR had Hines at 3.42, which is good, but certainly not awesome.
Z Ivisic for reference was 4.41 and T 2.66.
The overall rating was T Ivisic at 7.28 and Hines at 5.19
Hereforit
- Littleton, CO
Perhaps. Thinking development…
I guess I’ll wait to see the guy actually play before taking an assured stance.
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He averaged 2.2 blocks in 18.0 minutes. If he plays 25 minutes he could average 3+ blcoks. That'll get you in the running for Big East DPOY.
UConn as a unit might have the best defensive potential of any team.
And just like that this has became a UConn thread again... he didn't even argue your point about BE DPOY... are you able to handle anything pro-Illinois being written on this *checks notes* Illinois message board? lol
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
2025 Ben - shot too much for his 34% 3pg%, was slow on defense, keeping in mind the 2025 team was KJ early then Will late - not great on defense or passing
2026 Ben - great role player shot slightly better 36% 3pg% but within the offense, played much better defense got loose balls hustle guy on FF team. Adjusted to B10 speed
Landon has size and talent to get there. Ben was expected to do it day 1.
Oh 100 percent. He has 4, maybe 5, years to become the best version of himself. You pointed out what a lot of the frustration was with Ben: expected to to it day 1 (and as we’ve seen with a lot of these transfers, it takes 1/3 of a season or even a full season sometimes for them to get comfortable.
He looks like a 6'9" coordinated young man with a sweet shot and ball handling skills, and who can get to the basket. He seems exceptional.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
I mean it's a highlight video.
I hope he does pan out and his jumpshot looks pretty smooth. I think the expectation is that he can be a serviceable backup big that can play stretch 4.
Ballhandling didn't really look like much of anything in that video. Then he needs to spend a lot of time with Fletch before he is going to be capable of holding up on the inside.
Not from you but I've seen a lot of comparisons to Ben and I just don't really see it. Ben played a lot more like a wing(at least offensively) while Davis seems to be more of a traditional stretch 4. The thing he has in common with Ben is that he's a 6'8 white guy.
Its a different offense and he will have far more talent surrounding him. He was also often playing off ball next to Sellers and Edwards too. Also, the big east whistle is very different from the Big10 so I wouldn't be surprised to see more free throw attempts just from how ticky-tack the big10 calls conference games.
Vaaks shot 52% from 2 which was better than Wagler(albeit on 2 less attempts per game). You watch clips of him and he can clearly turn the corner and attack the basket off the pnr. He shot 3.6 free throws per game which is basically the same as Kylan and Stojakovic.
Plus, Jason Edwards missed a 7 game stretch in January/February of last year where Vaaks assumed more of his ball handling duties. Vaaks averaged 20.3 pts and 3.7 assists in that stretch while getting to the line 5.6 times per game and hitting them at a 90% clip. He also shot 58% from 2 in that span(3.6 for 6.1).
Sidenote: he only shot 28% from 3 in that stretch so he was averaging 20 while not even shooting well from 3.
This will probably sound like blasphemy but I genuinely wouldn't be surprised to see him put up Wagler type numbers.
Nope, your lack of knowledge is showing...keep speaking and prove it over and over again.
Guys don’t worry, I only played 1 year of D1 ball…if I need to use the rest of my eligibility to play point guard I will carry that responsibility for us
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Landon Davis is a project player. I mean that in the best possible way. Lots of potential, and he plays in a way that the Illinois coaching staff really likes. He didn’t put up big numbers in high school, but he was also playing with another Big 10 recruit and is the type of kid that isn’t going to selfishly just “get his” at all costs.
The current landscape of college basketball really minimizes multi-year projects.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
SMASH CUT TO:
“With the third pick in the 2027 NBA Draft, the Sacrament Kings pick… Landon Davis of Illinois.”
That was my line of thinking as well, but if you think about it: Ben was able to play the 3 because of the way Illinois' offense is designed. No need to be a ballhandler, just cut / move the ball, or get to a corner if there's ISO. Jake played the 2 some but never had to even dribble the ball.
I think that's one of the more overlooked things about Illinois' offense... outside of lead/secondary ballhandlers, guys aren't pigeonholed into positions (and those ballhandlers can be anyone... even the 4). The term position less basketball gets overused these days, but this is a true form of it.
- Status