Illini Basketball 2026-2027

#101      
hoopsfan47
Joel Goodson said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/2088053025524818198

development kid, for sure, but has an intriguing skill set
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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.
 
#102      
NarrowJ
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.
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What I see: a future Ben Humrichous

I wonder if that's sort of the staff's vision for him
 
#104      
NarrowJ
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.)
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girls look GIF
 
#106      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
Emerson Bigguns said:
I just go back to the Providence tape. He’s more than just a shooter.
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Emerson Bigguns said:
I just go back to the Providence tape. He’s more than just a shooter.
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I mean it sounds cliche, but is he?

He's a bad defender and a bad defender.

He doesn't put pressure on the rim.

Only a 29.5 free throw rate.

He shot 8.4 three pointers per game, which was one of the tops in the country.

The ball handling is nice, but is he going to be our assist leader? Still have to see it.

"Just a shooter" is not a bad thing. Plummer was basically just that, and a darn good player (2nd team All BIG). Vaaks is just a taller version.
 
#107      
hoopsfan47
NarrowJ said:
What I see: a future Ben Humrichous

I wonder if that's sort of the staff's vision for him
Click to expand...
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.
 
#108      
Guest
Phass said:
Does anyone know what exactly Mirks injury was?
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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.
 
#111      
Guest
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.
 
#112      
Mobi
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.
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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.
 
#113      
Mobi
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.
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The film does make Landon look very appealing. Almost like he can be a very good b/u with 10-20 more pounds.
 
#114      
Mobi
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.
Click to expand...
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. :censored:
 
#115      
Joel Goodson
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
#116      
Hereforit
PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
It’s unlikely Landon gets the minutes to prove that.

(Ben played 22.5 minutes a game.)
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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.
 
#117      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
Hereforit said:
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.
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Is it? He's the 12th or 13th man on next year's roster.

For him to crack the rotation next 1-2 years, an overwhelming number of the other guys would have to leave AND the staff needs to pass on filling those departures with transfers.
 
#118      
EmeraldCityIllini
www.si.com

Ranking the Top 10 Centers in Men’s College Basketball for 2026–27 Season

Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas might be the sport’s best defender with his elite rim protection. Here are the other Cs to watch this season.
www.si.com www.si.com

By, and large, I accept these preseason lists for what they are. Content for conversation with understood ambiguity.

But Hines, and Thiam for that matter, infront of Tomi is criminal. Hines is disgusting actually
 
#119      
hoopsfan47
Joel Goodson said:
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
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In the sake of context, as a frosh JJ was similar in that he was a solid perimeter shooter, was quite quick for a guy his size, and would take it to the rim without hesitation. In that regard, they are similar. Davis appears to have more skills offensively and is pretty smooth while appearing confident. LD would get my nod for floor time, but neither has seen any significant minutes against high level competition. I still have hopes for JJ, but he has hurdles to clear and who knows the passion he has to clear them?

The determining factor will be what either can do when they try to finish over a B1G All-star PF or center...or stop one from scoring in the paint. Time will tell.
 
#120      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
EmeraldCityIllini said:
www.si.com

Ranking the Top 10 Centers in Men’s College Basketball for 2026–27 Season

Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas might be the sport’s best defender with his elite rim protection. Here are the other Cs to watch this season.
www.si.com www.si.com

By, and large, I accept these preseason lists for what they are. Content for conversation with understood ambiguity.

But Hines, and Thiam for that matter, infront of Tomi is criminal. Hines is disgusting actually
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Hines is awesome defensively. Quite possibly the DPOY favorite in the Big East.
 
#122      
Hereforit
PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
Is it? He's the 12th or 13th man on next year's roster.

For him to crack the rotation next 1-2 years, an overwhelming number of the other guys would have to leave AND the staff needs to pass on filling those departures with transfers.
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Perhaps. Thinking development…

I guess I’ll wait to see the guy actually play before taking an assured stance.
 
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#123      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
EmeraldCityIllini said:
Hmm. Evan Maya DBPR had Hines at 3.42, which is good, but certainly not awesome.

Z Ivisic for reference was 4.41 and T 2.66.

The overall rating was T Ivisic at 7.28 and Hines at 5.19
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He averaged 2.2 blocks in 18.0 minutes. If he plays 25 minutes he could average 3+ blcoks. That'll get you in the running for Big East DPOY.

UConn as a unit might have the best defensive potential of any team.
 
#124      
NarrowJ
PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
He averaged 2.2 blocks in 18.0 minutes. If he plays 25 minutes he could average 3+ blcoks. That'll get you in the running for Big East DPOY.

UConn as a unit might have the best defensive potential of any team.
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And just like that this has became a UConn thread again... he didn't even argue your point about BE DPOY... are you able to handle anything pro-Illinois being written on this *checks notes* Illinois message board? lol
 
#125      
ptgrd23
NarrowJ said:
What I see: a future Ben Humrichous
I wonder if that's sort of the staff's vision for him
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2025 Ben - shot too much for his 34% 3pg%, was slow on defense, keeping in mind the 2025 team was KJ early then Will late - not great on defense or passing
2026 Ben - great role player shot slightly better 36% 3pg% but within the offense, played much better defense got loose balls hustle guy on FF team. Adjusted to B10 speed

Landon has size and talent to get there. Ben was expected to do it day 1.
 
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