When thinking of the college basketball hierarchy, the immediate names that come to mind are UNC, Duke, Kentucky, and others. Those are the blue bloods that have had sustained success for years and years, but lately, some new teams are entering the fold.
Teams like UConn, Michigan, Florida, and now Illinois are making their names known, and while it feels like uncharted territory for the Illini, it also has to feel very exciting for what is to come.
After making it to the Final Four for the first time since 2005 last season, Illinois firmly planted its flag as a contender for the next season, retaining key players from its Final Four roster, having Brad Underwood to lead the way, and a non-conference schedule that will test its limits to the fullest extent.
Illinois was branded a contender with ESPN college basketball writer Jim Borzello's latest way-too-early rankings, where he kept the Illini firmly ranked No. 3 behind Florida at No. 1 and Duke at No. 2. Illinois is still the highest ranked Big Ten, meaning they no longer can play the dark horse role in the conference, and will have a big target on their back.
Illinois is stepping into uncharted territory as branded contenders in the Big Ten
When thinking of 'blue blood' teams in the Big Ten, Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana, and Michigan automatically come to mind. Illinois is there, but never at the forefront; typically, a team that performs well and makes it to the NCAA Tournament but loses somewhere early on.
After last season, there is no hiding in the shadows for Illinois, a team that surprised everyone with its Final Four run, led by a three-star recruit who barely had any Power Four offers. Underwood proved that he doesn't need the highest-rated recruits to make a run at a National Championship, which is what makes this Illinois team so dangerous.
Bringing back three of his five starters from last season, one of the top players in the transfer portal, and a five-star freshman to round out his starting rotation, Underwood will have his team playing a new role this season: the contenders.
Granted, these way-too-early rankings won't even remotely matter come March, but they are painting Illinois in a new light right now. Instead of being a team people don't necessarily circle on the schedule ahead of time, the Illini will now have a target on their back as the top team in the Big Ten, even after Michigan won it all last season.
With players like Stefan Vaaks, who averaged 15.8 points per game at Providence last season, Andrej Stojakovic, and Quentin Coleman working with speed in transition, defenses will struggle to even set up in time. Not to mention when they do, they then have to deal with the size and power of David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic in the paint.
This is an Illinois team that doesn't have a ton of weaknesses, as shown in the preseason rankings. With a strong non-conference schedule, they will face quality competition, making the Illini even more ready for Big Ten play and polished for the NCAA Tournament.
Brad Underwood was happy with a Final Four run last season, but he won't be satisfied with it this year. He wants to go one game further and be the one cutting down the nets in celebration as the last team standing above the rest.
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