Illini Basketball 2026-2027
Has it really been that bad? Ty aside, it’s not like we’ve lost a top 2-3 player for the whole year or the tournament. I’m grateful for that. Knock on wood
Electric
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Unlike last year, we have a high level of quality 3 point shooters to fill in until Jake returns.I’ve seen enough of Ethan Brown to be completely at ease. Hate it for Jake, love that dude, but this is going to end up being huge for EB. Huge.
Kid is ready for prime time.
2026. 2027
Mirk. Mirk
Jake. Stef
Keaton. Q
Ben. Tomi
Tomi, ok, good late. Ethan
Kylan, ok. Zavier
Z, below avg Morillo
Stoj, below average. Stoj, ok
Lincoln, ok
Z, ok
Jake, injured
Apologies for the formatting
Joel Goodson
- 9th man conundrum
he was a flippin' baller, offensively anyway
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Illinois fans: let’s pump the breaks on our offense.
National media: Illinois had the best offense last year and this year’s could be better.
National media: Illinois had the best offense last year and this year’s could be better.
Are we sure? I learned yesterday that we're probably not that much better than Butler.
On a more serious note, replacing Jake Davis with some combination of Lincoln/Zavier/Lucas M. is something I'll be watching the next few games.
I'm sure it'll ultimately come down to matchups, but I've been thinking about which of the three would be best for the team to pop off in Jake's absence. I think I'd lean LW. The offensive upside and shooting Zens and Morillo bring is certainly appealing, but LW with some confidence can be a menace on D and in transition
Assuming it will be Zens to start just as he is probably the most similar to Jake. I am guessing staff will not want LW and Andrej on the floor much together from a shooting standpoint.
Joel Goodson
- 9th man conundrum
uh oh, Bilas went there. he doesn't have a clue either
This is not directed at you, Fly, I'm just responding to the breakdown of our new offense:
I'm cracking up because there was some discussion during the offseason that our offense sometimes got stagnant last year and might benefit from some wrinkles involving more off-ball movement. The response was essentially "You don't fix what isn't broken" and/or "Oh, so you think you're smarter than Brad?"
If the response had been "We did what we did last year because of our personnel, and this year may/will look different with different personnel- not because it would have been better last year", then it would be one thing. But to flat out ridicule the idea, then do a 180 and jump on board once the staff implements it (way beyond anything that was ever suggested) is pretty funny to watch. It also further convinces me that some of the spirited debate here is motivated by an idea of defending the honor of our coaching staff, but without really knowing what the staff is actually thinking.
Agree with you for the most part - I will say that I think you may be overemphasizing the far ends of the discussion spectrum, and I'd definitely say there's a good amount of analytically driven discussion from both sides of the supportive/speculative aisle that falls in between the full-on sycophantic comments and the full detractive ones....
In terms of supporting, I typically take the side of "I and most others don't know 97% of the conversation and game plan that happens behind closed doors, so it feels more tangible to debate what you do know (like the coaching staff is really good)"
Yep, you're probably right about that. Squeaky wheels...
Illinois and Stephen F. Austin are the two teams that attempted 50 threes in their season debut.
2023-24: 2 D1 teams attempted 50 threes in a game
2024-25: 12 D1 teams attempted 50 threes in a game
2025-26: 14 D1 teams attempted 50 threes in a game
2023-24: 2 D1 teams attempted 50 threes in a game
2024-25: 12 D1 teams attempted 50 threes in a game
2025-26: 14 D1 teams attempted 50 threes in a game
I don't think what we're seeing is "fixing what's broken".
What we are seeing is "adapting to our personnel".
Laughing at people doing 180s is fun, but I don't see it here.
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Right, of course
We will see i this new offense survives its collision with the better defensive teams and scouting of the B1G. I think it may limit the effectiveness of Tomi and Z as they will not be doing much pick and pop like last year.
Have to say that BU might be considered one of the best coaches in college basketball if he pulls this constant adaptation to personnel off, but how much of that credit actually dependent on TU.
Have to say that BU might be considered one of the best coaches in college basketball if he pulls this constant adaptation to personnel off, but how much of that credit actually dependent on TU.
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well people have been wanting them to shoot less 3s so with no pick and pop maybe that will happen
but what i see is optimized movement and positioning, tomi and z will fade from dunker spot out to the corner or from middle out to top of key area
through the exhibitions and first game, two thirds of tomi's shots are three pointers so i dont see any reduction there yet
