This was asked awhile back and caused hoopla. Wagler is the best of the bunch, but Vaaks & Coleman are undoubtedly a better offensive duo than Wagler & Boswell. On paper we are a better shooting team than last year, which is a scary prospect for opponents. If Cam Crocker earns his paycheck this year, watch out
Illini Basketball 2026-2027
Quite small? Not that easy to replace a consensus All American whose jersey will be in the rafters. It's these same unrealistic opinions that come out with the sky is falling posts after we lose games (i.e. Nebraska).
For example, I think Andrej had a very good year. Yes there were ups and downs, part of it were the injuries. For 80% of the year, you would've thought he was a bust reading this board, including posts calling to remove his minutes entirely. That's because folks just assumed to transfer his 17.9 points/game from Cal onto Illinois. It just doesn't work that way.
Do I think Vaaks and Coleman will be good? Absolutely. But the expectations need to be in context. And if they exceed them, great.
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I definitely think the statistical output of Vaaks-Coleman can outperform them, though I don’t think I’ll be shocked either way if they do or don’t. Both look very strong offensively and it wouldn’t be crazy to see them achieve a greater output. Defense I think has only been the biggest question mark, but I feel better about teaching someone defense than teaching them how to hit a contested shot. I also think there’s more to a being a great player than just what translates to the stat sheet; so don’t take this all to mean I believe the two will pass or eclipse two of our more memorable players in recent years. If they do? Excellent! We will truly be spoiled then to go back to back with stellar lottery pick freshmen.
Might be pretty close on the points and assists numbers but I dont think the rebounds will be close. Keaton and Kylan were both very good rebounding guards
Talking about numbers, last year's team had multiple players end up in the program's record books with top-10 single season numbers:
Wagler - #3 for points in a season (also tied for #2 in a single game with his 46 against Purdue)
Mirk - #7 for rebounds in a season
Big Z - #3 for blocks in a season (also tied for #2 in a single game, and he's only 30 blocks away from getting into the top-10 Illini all time)
Just something I thought was cool. Carry on.
Wagler - #3 for points in a season (also tied for #2 in a single game with his 46 against Purdue)
Mirk - #7 for rebounds in a season
Big Z - #3 for blocks in a season (also tied for #2 in a single game, and he's only 30 blocks away from getting into the top-10 Illini all time)
Just something I thought was cool. Carry on.