Kinda depends if the 4 is able to shoot.Those players that have size and able to shoot well,defend are easy to find NBA,you act like most teams are laced with studs at the 4.
Illini Basketball 2025-2026
- Status
If it's a quick 4, may have to use Ty at the 4. The PF spot could very well be by committee this coming year. We all know Kylan, Andrej, and Tomi are starters. And it appears Petrovic will either start or play starter minutes. However, at PF, you've got Mirk, Ben, Ty (will also play SF and maybe a bit of PG), and Z (mostly a C but will get time at PF also).
kansas will always get a default top 15 ranking....but is there one player on that team outside of Darryn Peterson that would start on Illinois?
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
Nobody cares about preseason rankings - see Indiana and Kansas last year
What matters is how we finish.
My hope:
B10 top 3 finish
BTT make finals
NCAA 4 seed or better
Sweet 16 or better
I think this roster is old enough and talented to have a good chance
1. Two quality 7 footers centers - Tomas and Big Z
2. Proven scorer - Andrej, and Jr backup Jake
3. Veteran good defender 2G - Kylan, Ty
4. Multiple options at 4 - Mircovic, Ben H, Ty, and Big Z
5. 22 year old new PG - Mihailo, Kylan as proven backup ball handler
6. two freshman SG's
Key questions that will determine season
1. Can we shoot 3's at 35% NCAA avg
2. Can we defend with our limited athleticism
3. Will there be good chemistry between newcomers and returning
What matters is how we finish.
My hope:
B10 top 3 finish
BTT make finals
NCAA 4 seed or better
Sweet 16 or better
I think this roster is old enough and talented to have a good chance
1. Two quality 7 footers centers - Tomas and Big Z
2. Proven scorer - Andrej, and Jr backup Jake
3. Veteran good defender 2G - Kylan, Ty
4. Multiple options at 4 - Mircovic, Ben H, Ty, and Big Z
5. 22 year old new PG - Mihailo, Kylan as proven backup ball handler
6. two freshman SG's
Key questions that will determine season
1. Can we shoot 3's at 35% NCAA avg
2. Can we defend with our limited athleticism
3. Will there be good chemistry between newcomers and returning
Interesting point.
Most national media would probably pick flory over big t… but I think I might go big t. Bidunga is nice though.
No kidding
Bidunga will turn away a ton of rim opportunities on defense, but what is he on offense? A guy who will catch a lob and shoot 53% from the line?
Tomi might go 18/10/4 this year with no mono and healthy foot/ankle.
1m4tr
Cliffmas
Mirk’s release is slow but he’ll likely be the fifth option on offense if Ty isn’t in the game at the same time. He should get open looks where getting his shot off won’t be an issue. I’d rather him be slow and methodical rather than rushed and hurried. With the way Tomi passes, Mirk could get some looks in the paint where he can body his defender and get some easy looks. I’m excited about our potential for different looks that we can give. If Mirk can be a competent defender, his minutes will come. Domask could teach him a thing or two this summer.
No one's taking flory over tomislav.
TheDukeUIUC
- Twin Cities, MN
Literally have the data to back this up.
6'8 barefoot is plenty big to be a college center tbh.
Coleman Hawkins and PJ Hall both measured in at 6'8.25 last year at the combine. JT Toppin measured in at 6'7 barefoot.
That was my point. You "could" definitely play C, but with Tomi and Z, he probably won't.
Look at it this way- in a perfect world, #17 is the best team to not make the second weekend.
Oh people are making tomi stock available? I'm in. All in
ImA gonna see how the season plays out
He is strong now and will get stronger. He’s not a weakling.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
I like idea of typing all year in Balkan accent. It show we all in on Ic's. And Balkan Brad like it that way!
From everything I’ve seen Purdue and Houston are 1A 1B for that No. 1 spot. Purdue may have the top 2 players in the country however.
Only worry about the teams who have good PFs. Truthfully I am not that worried since we have other 4 options.
I agree with this- if he brings us what Morez did last year on the boards, plus a little more offense being able to hit baseline jumpers, it’s a big win
We don’t need Mirk to be a dynamic offensive player just a good cutter, rebounder and keep teams honest with his outside shot and he appears to be all of that
Mirkovic is more of a long term project. For this upcoming year I think there’s a solid argument for taking Ben as the more quintessential piece (as Werner and Piper mentioned on their show)
Mirkovic is elite recruit (Nike Hoops Summit)
Jason Jakstys, for example, is a long term project
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