A returning frontcourt, more international talent and deep freshman class represent three reasons the Illinois men’s basketball team checks in at No. 3 in RotoWire’s preseason rankings.
No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini: Projected Rotation & Season Outlook
Champaign has become a breeding ground for the top international prospects to develop under Brad Underwood. The Illini will once again be loaded going into next season, with top transfer Stefan Vaaks coming over from Providence to join returning stars Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic. Vaaks is a 6-7 point forward who is a lethal three-point shooter. He is probably the closest replacement they could have found for Keaton Wagler.
Stojakovic and Mirkovic were both reliable offensive pieces last season in their own right, while the Ivisic twins give the Illini an intimidating front line that nobody else in the country can match from a size perspective.
Interesting enough, Vaaks was the only transfer that coach Underwood landed in the offseason. That said, he did sign six freshmen to add some depth to the roster. Quentin Coleman is the lone five star who will have a chance to start at shooting guard right away. Coleman was one of the top pure shot-makers in the class who will fit in perfectly with what coach Underwood likes to do offensively.
The 2026-27 campaign will mark the 10th season of the Underwood era at Illinois. He has made the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament just twice over that time span. That said, the Final Four run they had last season gives them a lot to build on. Given the nice core of returning players along with some incoming high-level talent, the Illini are perfectly positioned to win the Big Ten and make a run at a title.
For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, player performance and the transfer portal, head RotoWire’s latest college basketball news page or follow @RotoWireCBB on X.
2026-27 Illinois Basketball Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Stefan Vaaks (15.8 PPG, 2.9 3PM at Providence)
SG: Quentin Coleman (No. 23 in SC Next 100)
SF: Andrej Stojakovic (13.5 PPG)
PF: David Mirkovic (13.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG)
C: Tomislav Ivisic (10.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG)
Key Reserves: Zvonimir Ivisic (6.4 PPG, 1.9 BPG), Jake Davis (5.4 PPG), Lucas Morillo (No. 52 in SC Next 100), Zavier Zens (4-Star Freshman), Jason Jakstys (Redshirt), Ethan Brown (3-Star Freshman)
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