Illini Basketball 2026-2027
Run, run, and run!
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
A quick re-do on my 2026-27 scoring predictions:
17 Mirk
16 QC
15 Andrej
14 Vaaks
8 Tommy
6 Ethan Brown
4 Z
5 Jake & Others
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85 TEAM TOTAL
17 Mirk
16 QC
15 Andrej
14 Vaaks
8 Tommy
6 Ethan Brown
4 Z
5 Jake & Others
----
85 TEAM TOTAL
Currently 342nd in FT percentage.
Small sample size obviously, but we need to lock in on FT, Turnovers, and Rebounding. Incredibly easy to do
Realigning expectations a bit after getting a look at this squad. I still believe very much in the potential here, but I don’t see us beating Duke or UConn, and I think we ultimately fall short of the “elite” category through the first 1/3 of the season. I’m expecting something like 9-3 by Christmas, with the narrative being that this team is good, but overrated and probably closer to a top 15 team than a top 3 team.
That said…the team we’re watching right now isn’t going to be the same team we see in January, February and beyond. Once Mirk gets up to game speed, I think this staff and roster start finding their rhythm on both ends of the floor. The potential begins to translate into eye-popping production and suddenly that preseason hype starts looking real & justified again. I still think we could jump right back into that top 3 convo later in the winter. I think we ultimately end up as a 3 seed again, largely because we don’t collect enough marquee noncon wins, but a very dangerous 3 seed that nobody wants to play.
That said…the team we’re watching right now isn’t going to be the same team we see in January, February and beyond. Once Mirk gets up to game speed, I think this staff and roster start finding their rhythm on both ends of the floor. The potential begins to translate into eye-popping production and suddenly that preseason hype starts looking real & justified again. I still think we could jump right back into that top 3 convo later in the winter. I think we ultimately end up as a 3 seed again, largely because we don’t collect enough marquee noncon wins, but a very dangerous 3 seed that nobody wants to play.
84 points to a Texas Tech team without Toppin.
I don't know why we don't want to build a program around defense. A great offense wins games. A great defense wins championships.
Asking way too much of a 3-star average athlete (Brown) and a big body like Dre (easy to screen) to guard way too much of the perimeter. We don't have a rim protector besides Z and he's near unplayable at the moment.
Spent all season talking about a no-screen / no-play / concept-based offense. Exposed by Baylor and Texas Tech. Shudder to think about how ugly things will get at Cameron and at the United Center (will be in-person for that game).
I don't know why we don't want to build a program around defense. A great offense wins games. A great defense wins championships.
Asking way too much of a 3-star average athlete (Brown) and a big body like Dre (easy to screen) to guard way too much of the perimeter. We don't have a rim protector besides Z and he's near unplayable at the moment.
Spent all season talking about a no-screen / no-play / concept-based offense. Exposed by Baylor and Texas Tech. Shudder to think about how ugly things will get at Cameron and at the United Center (will be in-person for that game).
I agree with this assessment. Obviously we all hope for the best, but Mirk and Jake going down so early and for so long meant we would have to be basically the best team in the country by far to win those early season matchups. How many teams can go on the road and beat #2 without 2 starters? Probably none.
Unfortunately 1 seeds are very hard to obtain, and there looks to be a strong field of teams this year hunting for one (Florida, MSU, UConn chief among them). Our margin for error on a 1 seed is razor thin now, especially because it will take an absolute miracle to beat Duke. I think a 2 is possible but 3 is more likely as we're going to have the annual head scratcher loss or two down the stretch along with the tough game losses.
We're now shuddering at the thought of our team playing good competition??? Cmon man
Wasn't but a couple years ago they made us look like a juco team. We though Baylor blowing us out for a half was an exception to what our team would look like because it was an exhibition. Turns out it wasn't. There's a reason to be nervous. It's quit literally one of the most talented and deep teams ever put on a court and we currently lack tougness, execution, and an identity, not to mention 2 top players. I dont think coleman nor Williams will fold, but getting embarrassed on the national stage by your competition can kill confidence in a hurry, especially in the freshman.
Holy strawman.
I’m calling out our defense conceding 80+ points to a team without its All-American forward (Toppin) or a near lottery pick (Andersen).
Didn’t see we shouldn’t play high level opponents. Imagine what Duke and UConn will hang on us if TTU is hitting 80+ in regulation.
The TT game ended as predicted. Lets see if the next 10 games hold up as well.
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2026-2027 Season Predictions Thread
I think we have a chance to only drop 3 games this season. I think we will see our full potential @DUKE but losing to Texas Tech will cause that. Then UCONN will steal another one from Brad. This will fuel the team through the season. We will than drop our only game in conference @ Indiana We...
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Illinicpa14
- Chicago
Florida was 5-4 last year losing every big game until January and was a 1.
Assuming Mirk comes back and his old self, we don’t lose ground on a game like this losing close early down your best player and having a horrible half.
I do think it puts a little more pressure on UCOnN and Mizzou in the December games.
I thought our defense was pretty damn good. We lost because: (1) 18 TT offensive rebounds; (2) sloppy turnovers in the first half led to easy points; and (3) free throws (not only were we atroicious, they made 88%).
When both teams are playing at a fast pace, the main defense story is not that we gave up 84 points -- but that they shot just 40%.