Illini Basketball 2026-2027

#51      
ImGonnaBeILL
Illinirog70 said:
Don't sleep on Zens. He's our third mr. basketball in the past 6 years to enroll at the beloved and the past two have played really well. He's a very good shooter and, when whipped into shape will become a good front court for the Illini.
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LOVE Zens.

He's not likely to see much time barring injury this season but I definitely don't think he'd be overwhelmed if put out there now.

Dude will be a good college player by the time he's an upperclassmen. And I hope it's at illinois. I'd wager a good amount of money on that. He's already got a solid frame to continue to build upon.

Put him in a role...and he'll thrive. Why I love kids like him (vs kids that don't an FN clue how to play off the ball and never are able to adjust)
 
#52      
Mobi
ImGonnaBeILL said:
LOVE Zens.

He's not likely to see much time barring injury this season but I definitely don't think he'd be overwhelmed if put out there now.

Dude will be a good college player by the time he's an upperclassmen. And I hope it's at illinois. I'd wager a good amount of money on that. He's already got a solid frame to continue to build upon.

Put him in a role...and he'll thrive. Why I love kids like him (vs kids that don't an FN clue how to play off the ball and never are able to adjust)
Click to expand...
I think we absolutely have to keep Zen for the 2nd year this time to compare to the Wisc Mr. basketball experience last time. 🤣🤣🤣
 
#56      
Ill... INI 27
Best options if we have to miss Mirk a few games, Z the 5 , Tomi the 4 with JJ backup 5.
Davis starting 4 out ?
5 in 5 addition.
2 frosh ?
Hoping for more info and short recovery time but foot and surgery...ugh.
 
#62      
STLflyinIllini
might be matchup dependent to some extent, but would guess Jake starts at the 4, with maybe 10-ish minutes of the brothers Ivisic playing together per game. JJ might get ~5 minutes against certain teams.
A few of the freshman will have to be ready, but in big games BU has shown he isn't afraid of using a short bench due to injuries.
 
#65      
Grandpa
ImGonnaBeILL said:
LOVE Zens.

He's not likely to see much time barring injury this season but I definitely don't think he'd be overwhelmed if put out there now.

Dude will be a good college player by the time he's an upperclassmen. And I hope it's at illinois. I'd wager a good amount of money on that. He's already got a solid frame to continue to build upon.

Put him in a role...and he'll thrive. Why I love kids like him (vs kids that don't an FN clue how to play off the ball and never are able to adjust)
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot!
 
#68      
Oranges
Illinilosch said:
We may truly beat Miznoz once again this year, but they will be no slouch at all. I'm predicting they will be much more improved this coming season.

But a good Miznoz team makes for a much more pleasant viewing experience for the Braggin' Rights Game. Lately, quite frankly...it's been kinda of a snooze fest!
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Oh I expect them to be better. Doesn’t change my expectation to blow them out of the water though
 
#70      
Ill... INI 27
Illinisnake said:
Willing to bet a cheeseburger on that? Make that a double

I actually need to correct my original lineup:

Q
Vaaks
Jake
Andre
Tomi
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I prefer your original lineup due to only 1 non frosh plus defender. Vaaks, Tomi give spacing, Z crash weakside on Stoj, drives.
Defensive length and rebounding preserved. Assuming QC and Tomi, net even on D, Stoj and Z provide solid lead and rim protection.Vaaks is a tall guard.
For your Davis starting pluses, even better spread offense and better distribution I think.
Thanks for talking hoops while I process Mirk injury. With what we know NOW those are two most likely lineups...
 
#71      
PasadenaIllini
ImGonnaBeILL said:
LOVE Zens.

He's not likely to see much time barring injury this season but I definitely don't think he'd be overwhelmed if put out there now.

Dude will be a good college player by the time he's an upperclassmen. And I hope it's at illinois. I'd wager a good amount of money on that. He's already got a solid frame to continue to build upon.

Put him in a role...and he'll thrive. Why I love kids like him (vs kids that don't an FN clue how to play off the ball and never are able to adjust)
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, we'll be seeing what Zavier can do sooner rather than later.
 
#72      
DaIllini
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