The Illinois men’s basketball team is gearing up to build on last season’s breakthrough performance, returning to competition Monday ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press preseason poll. After reaching the Final Four for the first time in 21 years before falling to Connecticut in the national semifinal, the Illini face a season of transition and challenges, including key roster changes and injury concerns.
Sophomore forward David Mirković, who averaged 13.3 points, eight rebounds, and 2.6 assists last year, is recovering from left foot surgery performed in early August. Although he has been seen practicing without a boot, coach Brad Underwood cautioned that Mirković will miss some regular-season games to ensure proper healing. Mirković’s versatility to play all five positions is viewed as a critical asset for the team’s success.
The Illini are adjusting to life without standout freshman Keaton Wagler, who declared for the NBA after averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists during his All-America freshman season. Guards Kylan Boswell and Ben Humrichous, important role players identified by Underwood as “championship-level,” have also moved on, leaving significant holes to fill.
Returning veterans—including wing Andrej Stojaković, twin centers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić, and forward Jake Davis—will provide leadership as Illinois integrates a highly regarded freshman class. Among the newcomers is Quentin Coleman, the nation’s No. 3 shooting guard and No. 18 recruit overall in the 247Sports composite rankings. Coleman, a 6-foot-4 guard from St. Louis who switched his commitment from Wake Forest shortly before last season’s Final Four, has impressed coaches with his shooting and competitiveness, though Underwood noted he is still adapting to the emotional demands of college basketball.
Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, a 6-foot-7 guard who averaged 15.8 points and drained 91 three-pointers last season in the Big East, adds shooting and playmaking depth. Mirković praised Vaaks’s willingness to learn and improvement on defense, an area that had been a concern.
The Illini struggled in close games last season, losing four contests in overtime, and Underwood emphasized the need to develop reliable role players to replace the departed Boswell and Humrichous. The coaching staff also aims to strike a balance between a high-octane offense and stout defense. With a challenging nonconference schedule that includes matchups against No. 19 Texas Tech, No. 2 Duke, and No. 4 UConn, Illinois will be tested early.
Stojaković, a senior wing who averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds and was a key figure in last year’s run, stressed the need for patience and focus throughout the season. “Every team, no matter what their success looked like last year, is starting over to a certain extent,” he said. He highlighted the importance of team cohesion and steady leadership through both successful and difficult moments.
Underwood also expressed confidence in the development of Tomislav Ivišić, now in his third season, citing improvements in his face-up game and overall movement. The 7-foot-1 center showed dominant potential late last season when healthy.
Despite the lofty preseason ranking—the program’s second-highest after the 1984-85 season—the coaching staff remains grounded, emphasizing that last year’s achievements must be earned anew. Underwood cautioned against resting on past success, noting the departure of key players and the fresh demands of a new roster. “This group hasn’t done anything," he said. "Last year’s team did it. Keaton Wagler’s not coming back through the door. Ben’s not coming back through the door. Let’s make our own identity, and let’s make it a better one. And the only way we know to do that is work.”
As the Illini prepare for the season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson, managing injuries and integrating new talent will be crucial to the team’s pursuit of its first national championship.