The Illinois basketball program has started the 2025-26 season at a lightning pace, winning all four games thus far.
With a 4-0 record, there has been a lot to rave about. The Illini have experience that, for the most part, has lived up to their billing. The transfer portal was good to the program, and it has already paid dividends.
Illinois’ freshmen have been the brightest of spots. Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic have eight games under their belts, but they look like seasoned veterans ready to graduate after four seasons in the college game.
Even with the great start to the season, Illinois has a cloud of opportunity hanging over our heads. I know, that sounds like an oxymoron. A cloud is a bad thing, and opportunity is a good thing.
Injuries are the cloud. Illinois has three key players who are out with injury. That cloud looms large right now, and it is talked about every day by fans and before and after every game by the media. What is great is the opportunity that awaits. From the sound of things, that opportunity is right around the corner.
In the postgame press conference after the Colgate win, Brad Underwood touched on the three big pieces – Mihailo Petrovic, Tomislav Ivisic, and Brandon Lee – and where they are with their injury recovery.
Brad Underwood gave some good news on the Illinois basketball injury front
While I was expecting the vague answers of Underwood not knowing, he surprised me with some positive news.
Illinois has another four-star freshman waiting in the wings, and Underwood talked about where Brandon Lee is with his injury.
“Brandon (Lee) has a pretty good ankle; it is pretty black and blue still. He’s very tough; he’s gutting it up. We probably could have played him tonight (against Colgate), but a few extra days sure won’t hurt him either of rest and recovery. Try to get a little closer to 100%."
So, from the sound of things, Lee could possibly go against Alabama on Wednesday. That is how I took that answer. If Lee could have gone against Colgate, but they wanted to rest him a little more, that means the mindset is to likely unleash him on the Crimson Tide.
When it comes to Illinois big man Tomislav Ivisic, this is what Underwood had to say.
“Tomi (Tomislav Ivisic) is moving around now, so that is a good thing.”
While Underwood was vague on this answer, he did have a more positive tone. Tomislav Ivisic is moving in the right direction. He is the player that I don’t expect back until maybe December, at the earliest. But it does sound like things are progressing nicely.
And then we have our talented point guard who is waiting to get some playing time. Underwood is easing him into the program.
“I need him (Mihailo Petrovic) to get through practice. I think it is just all the process of I have to see him do it. He’s doing some really good things in practice…I am not going to try to rush him back.”
Mihailo Petrovic suited up against Texas Tech but didn’t play. He did the same against Colgate. If he is suiting up, there is enough confidence that he can go at a moment's notice. Much like Lee, it wouldn’t shock me to see Petrovic play against Alabama.
So, Illinois has two out of the three key pieces gearing up and ready to play in the coming week or weeks. I think both Lee and Petrovic could see some time against the Crimson Tide if Illinois needs to go to their bench for any reason. When it comes to Ivisic, my target game is that matchup on December 6 against Tennessee. That is when I think he will be back.
Illinois has a ton of firepower, but we haven’t seen all of the talent on the court at the same time. Still, this program sits at 4-0 with a top 15 victory. This team could be pretty special by season’s end.