Illini Basketball 2026-2027

[Dan]

Cincinnati exhibition (Oct 17) public tickets go on sale Wednesday 9:00am CT.

Game has been listed as a 7pm ET tipoff, but they've recently added "Tipoff Subject to Change" on their schedule page so who knows.

https://www.ticketmaster.com/cincin...hio-10-17-2026/event/1600652FC74CA78A#tickets

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Who is the 1st player? He doesn't look familiar.

Vaaks

 

[LvilleILL1]

Continue to think Mirk is on track for November 2nd.

Expecting a big year from Andrej Stojakovic. Think he could end up being the 2nd most impactful player on the team.

The Ethan Brown buzz has gotten louder the last couple weeks. Think he can get spot minutes this year if needed. Sounds like Stefan Vaaks has really started to come on strong in practice as well.

 

[Jimbo]

Just bought tickets to the Illini vs TTU game in Lubbock. Should be a wild atmosphere.

 

[green_bay_energy]

Continue to think Mirk is on track for November 2nd.

Expecting a big year from Andrej Stojakovic. Think he could end up being the 2nd most impactful player on the team.

The Ethan Brown buzz has gotten louder the last couple weeks. Think he can get spot minutes this year if needed. Sounds like Stefan Vaaks has really started to come on strong in practice as well.

this solid Intel.

 

[Curbelo Fanboy]

View attachment 51788

Greatest Illini games I have attended

Upset Magic Johnson (eventual NCAA champs) at home 1979
Beat Missouri at 1989 Bragging Rights - Flying Illini
Beat Indiana at Bloomington on Nick Anderson 1/2 court shot at buzzer - Flying Illini

So on the replay of that Anderson shot you are one of the 20 people in the building that can be heard yelling!! What a moment. On the replay there is a split second right as the ball is going thru the net where there is a dead silence in that building such that the TV picks up the sound of the swish of the ball. And then you hear the few Illini fans & team going nuts. An ALL TIMER.

 

[I-L-L 1318]

Continue to think Mirk is on track for November 2nd.

Expecting a big year from Andrej Stojakovic. Think he could end up being the 2nd most impactful player on the team.

The Ethan Brown buzz has gotten louder the last couple weeks. Think he can get spot minutes this year if needed. Sounds like Stefan Vaaks has really started to come on strong in practice as well.

Appreciate you Lville!

 

[battle]

Cincinnati exhibition (Oct 17) public tickets go on sale Wednesday 9:00am CT.

Game has been listed as a 7pm ET tipoff, but they've recently added "Tipoff Subject to Change" on their schedule page so who knows.

https://www.ticketmaster.com/cincin...hio-10-17-2026/event/1600652FC74CA78A#tickets

just bought 5 tickets in row 5 behind the Illini bench!!! Sure beats the 4 hour drive to home games

 

[ManlyLibrarian]

View attachment 51788

Greatest Illini games I have attended

Upset Magic Johnson (eventual NCAA champs) at home 1979
Beat Missouri at 1989 Bragging Rights - Flying Illini
Beat Indiana at Bloomington on Nick Anderson 1/2 court shot at buzzer - Flying Illini

8th grade me is somewhere in that photo.

 

[Birdus]

Continue to think Mirk is on track for November 2nd.

Expecting a big year from Andrej Stojakovic. Think he could end up being the 2nd most impactful player on the team.

The Ethan Brown buzz has gotten louder the last couple weeks. Think he can get spot minutes this year if needed. Sounds like Stefan Vaaks has really started to come on strong in practice as well.

So besides Brown, who else is impressing to the point that key minutes could be an option?

 

[March2TheArch]

So besides Brown, who else is impressing to the point that key minutes could be an option?

My guess... Lucas Morillo. The back injury probably set him back a month but I think/hope we'll hear a lot more on him in October.

---

We basically played an 8-man rotation last year. And our top 7 is spoken for at this moment.

Frontcourt (PF/C, 80min):
- Mirk: 30-35 min
- Tomi: 25-30 min
- Z: 20-25 min
- Jason J / Landon Davis: Spot minutes in blowouts, foul trouble or strategic breathers

Wing (SF, 40min):
- Andrej: 25-30 min
- Jake: 10-15 min (to keep Andrej fresh for when we're in a scoring drought and to close out games)
- Williams: Spot minutes in blowouts, foul trouble or strategic breathers

Backcourt (PG/CG/SG, 80min)
- Vaaks: 30-35 min
- Coleman: 25-30 min
- Jake: 5-10min
- Brown / Morillo: Spot minutes in blowouts, foul trouble or strategic breathers

- - -

I'm going to assume our front court is healthy by conference season so I'd expect limited/non-existent minutes for Jason and Landon by then.

Jake is capable of playing 20min a game. High motor. I therefore doubt Lincoln gets much tick. The only way he'll see the floor is if he can emulate Kylan's defensive tenacity and passing. That's asking a lot of a true freshman. His shooting will be the biggest limiter in our offensive scheme. Once again, imagine he'll be pretty limited in our high stakes non-con games and in B1G play (outside games like Northwestern and Penn State).

This team does need more initiators to ease the burden for Vaaks and Mirk. Given Quintin's knock-down shooting, slashing and festiness on the boards, we'll want to keep him off-ball.

Therefore my guess would have to be Lucas Morillo. I believe he or Brown will be the most important freshman besides Quintin.

 

[Det_Illini_fan]

Continue to think Mirk is on track for November 2nd.

Expecting a big year from Andrej Stojakovic. Think he could end up being the 2nd most impactful player on the team.

The Ethan Brown buzz has gotten louder the last couple weeks. Think he can get spot minutes this year if needed. Sounds like Stefan Vaaks has really started to come on strong in practice as well.

Holy sh!t, we gettin’ a 10th man boys

 

[Hingle McCringleberry]

My guess... Lucas Morillo. The back injury probably set him back a month but I think/hope we'll hear a lot more on him in October.

---

We basically played an 8-man rotation last year. And our top 7 is spoken for at this moment.

Frontcourt (PF/C, 80min):
- Mirk: 30-35 min
- Tomi: 25-30 min
- Z: 20-25 min
- Jason J / Landon Davis: Spot minutes in blowouts, foul trouble or strategic breathers

Wing (SF, 40min):
- Andrej: 25-30 min
- Jake: 10-15 min (to keep Andrej fresh for when we're in a scoring drought and to close out games)
- Williams: Spot minutes in blowouts, foul trouble or strategic breathers

Backcourt (PG/CG/SG, 80min)
- Vaaks: 30-35 min
- Coleman: 25-30 min
- Jake: 5-10min
- Brown / Morillo: Spot minutes in blowouts, foul trouble or strategic breathers

- - -

I'm going to assume our front court is healthy by conference season so I'd expect limited/non-existent minutes for Jason and Landon by then.

Jake is capable of playing 20min a game. High motor. I therefore doubt Lincoln gets much tick. The only way he'll see the floor is if he can emulate Kylan's defensive tenacity and passing. That's asking a lot of a true freshman. His shooting will be the biggest limiter in our offensive scheme. Once again, imagine he'll be pretty limited in our high stakes non-con games and in B1G play (outside games like Northwestern and Penn State).

This team does need more initiators to ease the burden for Vaaks and Mirk. Given Quintin's knock-down shooting, slashing and festiness on the boards, we'll want to keep him off-ball.

Therefore my guess would have to be Lucas Morillo. I believe he or Brown will be the most important freshman besides Quintin.

There is only ball to go around and we are stacked with shooters, so my guess is Lincoln is going to get some tick. Let's be honest, Kylan was not a knock down shooter, but had incredible grit / fire on D and was a good distributor. Depending on Vaaks D, there could easily be a slot for a lock-down defender and energy guy, especially one that can attack the rim.

 

[lstewart53x3]

Holy sh!t, we gettin’ a 10th man boys

But USC’s got an 11th man

 

[March2TheArch]

There is only ball to go around and we are stacked with shooters, so my guess is Lincoln is going to get some tick. Let's be honest, Kylan was not a knock down shooter, but had incredible grit / fire on D and was a good distributor. Depending on Vaaks D, there could easily be a slot for a lock-down defender and energy guy, especially one that can attack the rim.

Yeah nice thing is Ethan is a natural 2. Lucas a natural 1. And Williams and natural 3. I think they could bring different things to the table.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

But USC’s got an 11th man

Not only that but I hear their 15th man is even better than our 14th man!

 

[ptgrd23]

So on the replay of that Anderson shot you are one of the 20 people in the building that can be heard yelling!! What a moment. On the replay there is a split second right as the ball is going thru the net where there is a dead silence in that building such that the TV picks up the sound of the swish of the ball. And then you hear the few Illini fans & team going nuts. An ALL TIMER.

Drove from CU to Bloomington with girl friend. Surrounded by IU fans good seats near mid court. Back then $75 could get you great seats from scalpers. Crowd went crazy when Jay Edwards hit the corner jumper with 3 second left to tie the game. Lou called the baseline pick play to free up Steve Bardos baseball pass to Nick near half court. The Assembly Hall went dead silent when it went in. We walked out cheering. Great drive home thru a wet snow. Got home in time to watch it again. Girl friends father had taped it.

124K views · 621 reactions | 3⃣0⃣ years ago today, Illinois and Indiana combined for one of the greatest finishes in B1G history. When the clock hit zero, it was Nick Anderson and the Illini celebrating. #OTD | Big Ten Network

3⃣0⃣ years ago today, Illinois and Indiana combined for one of the greatest finishes in B1G history. When the clock hit zero, it was Nick Anderson and the Illini celebrating. #OTD

www.facebook.com

 

[Kuch9]

just bought 5 tickets in row 5 behind the Illini bench!!! Sure beats the 4 hour drive to home games

First time poster - long time fan (and student in the 1980’s). Just bought tickets in row 6.

 

[IlliniWu]

Continue to think Mirk is on track for November 2nd.

Expecting a big year from Andrej Stojakovic. Think he could end up being the 2nd most impactful player on the team.

The Ethan Brown buzz has gotten louder the last couple weeks. Think he can get spot minutes this year if needed. Sounds like Stefan Vaaks has really started to come on strong in practice as well.

There's a lot of talented players here. Some seem to downplay or just flat out ignore but personally I think Stojakovic is a NPOY candidate as well. We all talk about Mirk, Vaaks, the twins and even Coleman as the best/best NBA prospect or most impactful player on the team right now.

The way he played down the stretch, the pedigree, the combine buzz, etc. all lead me to believe it will be a big year. Definitely waiting to see the Illini basketball team but I'm also not rushing due to the football team trying to make its way to the CFP right now.

 

[Joel Goodson]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2103099766074733024

 

[Illwinsagain]

There's a lot of talented players here. Some seem to downplay or just flat out ignore but personally I think Stojakovic is a NPOY candidate as well. We all talk about Mirk, Vaaks, the twins and even Coleman as the best/best NBA prospect or most impactful player on the team right now.

The way he played down the stretch, the pedigree, the combine buzz, etc. all lead me to believe it will be a big year. Definitely waiting to see the Illini basketball team but I'm also not rushing due to the football team trying to make its way to the CFP right now.

Someone had an extra shot of orange Kool-Aid today. I appreciate your optimism.

 

[Curbelo Fanboy]

Drove from CU to Bloomington with girl friend. Surrounded by IU fans good seats near mid court. Back then $75 could get you great seats from scalpers. Crowd went crazy when Jay Edwards hit the corner jumper with 3 second left to tie the game. Lou called the baseline pick play to free up Steve Bardos baseball pass to Nick near half court. The Assembly Hall went dead silent when it went in. We walked out cheering. Great drive home thru a wet snow. Got home in time to watch it again. Girl friends father had taped it.

124K views · 621 reactions | 3⃣0⃣ years ago today, Illinois and Indiana combined for one of the greatest finishes in B1G history. When the clock hit zero, it was Nick Anderson and the Illini celebrating. #OTD | Big Ten Network

3⃣0⃣ years ago today, Illinois and Indiana combined for one of the greatest finishes in B1G history. When the clock hit zero, it was Nick Anderson and the Illini celebrating. #OTD

www.facebook.com

What a moment. That was an absurd shot by Jay Edwards to set it up. Keith Jackson & Dickie V on the call on a Sunday afternoon.

 

[hoopsfan47]

Someone had an extra shot of orange Kool-Aid today. I appreciate your optimism.

LOL...it is PRE-SEASON of course and we are all on par with the hype.

And yet, when posters are defining where weaknesses exist, you can rest assured that other highly paid and experienced staffs fully understand. And yet, to exploit those weaknesses in defense, shooting, foot speed, a coach has to have the players who can exploit/slow down this offensively talented Illini crew.

And yes, the ability to defend well against high level opponents does exist also. I have no doubt our guys will be motivated on defense....but we cannot make them faster or quicker.

To me, the biggest key to a great season, IMHO, is not the ability of this Illini team. The critical determining factor will undoubtedly be availability. If our guys are all available, and the Illini get a bit of luck with the calls and bounces, the sky is the limit. But when has that happened? We don't know, but it keeps us on the edge of our seats and tuned in for every dribble and shot...and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Bummed we let that game at UCLA slip away last year, because Underwood has now won at every single Big Ten arena at least once besides UCLA ... and we won't get the chance this year. Anyway, here is when he first got a win at each arena, with the subsequent wins after that!

Rutgers - 2018, 2024
Ohio State - 2019
Wisconsin - 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024
Purdue - 2020, 2026
Michigan - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
Penn State - 2020, 2021, 2026
Northwestern - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2026
Indiana - 2021, 2022, 2025
Nebraska - 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026
Minnesota - 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
Ohio State - 2021, 2024, 2026
Iowa - 2022, 2024, 2026
Michigan State - 2022
Maryland - 2024, 2026
Oregon - 2025
Washington - 2025
USC - 2026

 

[March2TheArch]

Jake Davis Gives Illinois Basketball Another Dangerous 3-Point Shooter

It is easy to forget just how good Jake Davis is. That might sound strange considering Illinois is coming off a Final Four season and returns a ridiculous amount of talent, but Davis has quietly become one of the most efficient players on Brad Underwood’s roster. In fact, Davis may be one of...

armchairillini.com

Davis shot 40.6 percent from three on 133 attempts last season, including 36-for-90 in Big Ten play.