Illini Basketball 2026-2027

hoopsfan47 · 2026-08-14T10:08:40-0500

Joel Goodson said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/2088053025524818198

development kid, for sure, but has an intriguing skill set

Can't imagine what anyone sees that is not to like. He certainly displays all the offensive tools necessary to be a skilled B1G warrior and a huge contributor to Illini team success.

What we can't see is the passion and determination Landon has to become the best he can be. Is he willing to work as hard as TSJr. to improve his shooting? Will he outwork everyone in the weightroom? Can he see things on the court that few others perceive? There are literally hundreds of incoming frosh every season with skills. But only a few of those have the passion and work ethic to succeed. If you want to be elite, go ask the coach what you need to do. Only a very few will try to do it...and fewer still will succeed. I certainly hope Davis is one of them, and at my age, I sincerely hope to see it happen.

NarrowJ · 2026-08-14T10:53:33-0500

hoopsfan47 said:
Can't imagine what anyone sees that is not to like. He certainly displays all the offensive tools necessary to be a skilled B1G warrior and a huge contributor to Illini team success.

What we can't see is the passion and determination Landon has to become the best he can be. Is he willing to work as hard as TSJr. to improve his shooting? Will he outwork everyone in the weightroom? Can he see things on the court that few others perceive? There are literally hundreds of incoming frosh every season with skills. But only a few of those have the passion and work ethic to succeed. If you want to be elite, go ask the coach what you need to do. Only a very few will try to do it...and fewer still will succeed. I certainly hope Davis is one of them, and at my age, I sincerely hope to see it happen.

What I see: a future Ben Humrichous

I wonder if that's sort of the staff's vision for him

BlueFlag · 2026-08-14T11:03:56-0500

NarrowJ said:
What I see: a future Ben Humrichous

I wonder if that's sort of the staff's vision for him

Naw.

I see a future Landon Davis. In a year or two, Landon will be better than Ben (although Ben was a stud in his way.)

NarrowJ · 2026-08-14T11:45:57-0500

BlueFlag said:
Naw.

I see a future Landon Davis. In a year or two, Landon will be better than Ben (although Ben was a stud in his way.)

PleaseMakeABowlGame · 2026-08-14T11:46:24-0500

BlueFlag said:
Naw.

I see a future Landon Davis. In a year or two, Landon will be better than Ben (although Ben was a stud in his way.)

It’s unlikely Landon gets the minutes to prove that.

(Ben played 22.5 minutes a game.)

hoopsfan47 · 2026-08-14T12:41:58-0500

NarrowJ said:
What I see: a future Ben Humrichous

I wonder if that's sort of the staff's vision for him

There appears to be a lot of the Hummer there. But the film (and given it is a highlight film) shows a guy that is willing to take it to the rim and finish with either hand...something we never saw Hummer do. With a decent handle at 6'9", that expands has offensive threat immensely. Mirk showed his finishing ability by just tossing a 4 footer into the net without anything fancy...which seemed to be there at any time if he could convert it at a high percentage.

What we do not see is Landon's defensive ability. And yet, with his movement, and quickness for his size, that can be developed and will be a huge determining factor for him getting minutes.

Overall, there is reason to be very optimistic that he will develop. It all depends on his willingness to learn and his work ethic. Huge potential...much like JJ showed as a frosh....yet more natural. We must remember the difference on the defensive end that Hummer showed from his first to second season as an Illini. It was huge.

Guest · 2026-08-14T12:45:15-0500

Phass said:
Does anyone know what exactly Mirks injury was?

I didn’t see this answered, and I was curious, too. I happened to listen to the “emergency” Sleepers Media podcast on Mirk’s foot injury, and Gregg said it was a stress fracture. He didn’t name his source, but they do seem to have credible sources.

21ChampaignSt · 2026-08-14T12:51:20-0500

Landon Davis looks like he could make a layup on a baseline inbounds pass from Brandon Paul to beat #1 IU at the buzzer.

Grandpa · 2026-08-14T12:57:18-0500

Ben is 6 years older than the freshmen. Keep that in mind.

Guest · 2026-08-14T13:07:18-0500

Another tidbit I heard on the aforementioned Sleepers Media Emergency Reaction podcast was that, according to Gregg, Mihailo Petrovic is not eligible to play this season. I replayed it to make sure he actually said that. I looked it up and can’t find very much information on it, but I did find this via AI:

Mihailo Petrovic was cleared by the NCAA for the 2025-26 season, but there may have been bureaucratic delays affecting his eligibility status for the 2026-27 season. As of now, Petrovic is expected to be eligible for the upcoming season, but the exact details may still be subject to NCAA review. His situation highlights the complexities often involved in NCAA eligibility determinations.

Mobi · 2026-08-14T13:08:32-0500

Emerson Bigguns said:
I just go back to the Providence tape. He’s more than just a shooter.

I’d wager it’s more about feeling out his teammates. He’s already walking into a gym full of strangers and being handed the keys. I Imagine there is a part of him that is trying to avoid looking like a ball hog to his teammates.

If you are going to be the keystone of the offense, guys have to trust that you will find them. If they think you are a me first guy, they might cut a little less hard, or when you actually pass them the ball they don’t give it back.

You don’t just have to win over your coaches…you have to win over your teammates. I’m sure there are a couple guys on the roster who looked at his usage rate last year and wondered if they would still get their shots. To get in, you gotta fit in.

I don’t think it will be tough for the coaches to get him to be more aggressive once he’s more comfortable in the offense and in the locker room. That’s what he has been when the lights are on.

To me he is KJ on steroid. Probably better shooter on average and T/O ratio somewhat better. However, in the film, their common weaknesses are their driving games and Vaak more so. KJ were willing to drive but sometimes couldn't finish. Vaak seems more comfortable staying around the perimeter than in the paint area. So of course the defenders would rather be up to his nose. KJ's year was kinda rough cuz a maturing Riley was the 2nd best option. We have AS and Mirk this year to overcome that if it comes to truth.

Mobi · 2026-08-14T13:10:48-0500

hoopsfan47 said:
There appears to be a lot of the Hummer there. But the film (and given it is a highlight film) shows a guy that is willing to take it to the rim and finish with either hand...something we never saw Hummer do. With a decent handle at 6'9", that expands has offensive threat immensely. Mirk showed his finishing ability by just tossing a 4 footer into the net without anything fancy...which seemed to be there at any time if he could convert it at a high percentage.

What we do not see is Landon's defensive ability. And yet, with his movement, and quickness for his size, that can be developed and will be a huge determining factor for him getting minutes.

Overall, there is reason to be very optimistic that he will develop. It all depends on his willingness to learn and his work ethic. Huge potential...much like JJ showed as a frosh....yet more natural. We must remember the difference on the defensive end that Hummer showed from his first to second season as an Illini. It was huge.

The film does make Landon look very appealing. Almost like he can be a very good b/u with 10-20 more pounds.

Mobi · 2026-08-14T13:15:21-0500

hoopsfan47 said:
Can't imagine what anyone sees that is not to like. He certainly displays all the offensive tools necessary to be a skilled B1G warrior and a huge contributor to Illini team success.

What we can't see is the passion and determination Landon has to become the best he can be. Is he willing to work as hard as TSJr. to improve his shooting? Will he outwork everyone in the weightroom? Can he see things on the court that few others perceive? There are literally hundreds of incoming frosh every season with skills. But only a few of those have the passion and work ethic to succeed. If you want to be elite, go ask the coach what you need to do. Only a very few will try to do it...and fewer still will succeed. I certainly hope Davis is one of them, and at my age, I sincerely hope to see it happen.

We will see. I have to say our staff members are great evaluator. These days our practice pieces look like they can start for Iowa in their sophomore year. I hope that never happens though.

Joel Goodson · 2026-08-14T13:32:18-0500

hoopsfan47 said:
There appears to be a lot of the Hummer there. But the film (and given it is a highlight film) shows a guy that is willing to take it to the rim and finish with either hand...something we never saw Hummer do. With a decent handle at 6'9", that expands has offensive threat immensely. Mirk showed his finishing ability by just tossing a 4 footer into the net without anything fancy...which seemed to be there at any time if he could convert it at a high percentage.

What we do not see is Landon's defensive ability. And yet, with his movement, and quickness for his size, that can be developed and will be a huge determining factor for him getting minutes.

Overall, there is reason to be very optimistic that he will develop. It all depends on his willingness to learn and his work ethic. Huge potential...much like JJ showed as a frosh....yet more natural. We must remember the difference on the defensive end that Hummer showed from his first to second season as an Illini. It was huge.

agree w/everything but your JJ take. huge difference between a kid who might become serviceable (spot minutes) and one who could eclipse becoming a solid rotation player

Hereforit · 2026-08-14T14:28:46-0500

PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
It’s unlikely Landon gets the minutes to prove that.

(Ben played 22.5 minutes a game.)

A lot can happen in a year or two within a program of Illinois’ caliber, with all the tools a player could ever hope for at their disposal. It’s there for the taking if he wants it bad enough.