The Illinois basketball team has done a great job picking up the pieces left by the departing players.
It is never easy for the Illini to lose an All-American in Keaton Wagler and a starting guard in Kylan Boswell. That depletes a backcourt.
Brad Underwood has already gone into the transfer portal and secured a commitment from Stefan Vaaks, a soon-to-be sophomore who has all of the makings of a player Underwood can form into an All-American, much like Wagler.
A name that continues to be a hot topic is John Blackwell. The Wisconsin guard hit the transfer portal, and naturally, Illinois fans were drooling because he put up big numbers and his dad played for the program in the 1980s.
You can’t ignore the 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game that Blackwell put up last season with the Badgers. 38.9% from three-point range isn’t anything to sneeze at either.
Blackwell has been wooed by numerous teams. Illinois is in the mix. Duke is right there. Louisville is also making some waves. But when it comes down to the Orange and Blue, I think one thing will determine whether or not we should continue the pursuit of Blackwell.
Andrej Stojakovic.
The Stojakovic decision still hangs in the balance, as he hasn’t made a decision on what he wants to do next season.
History says that Stojakovic will transfer, as he just finished up his third season with as many teams. But Underwood has done a great job retaining talent from the Final Four run, so that may play a role in everything. A guaranteed starting spot is likely the outcome if he does stay in Champaign.
Andrej Stojakvoic staying at Illinois should signal a closure to the transfer portal recruitment of John Blackwell
If it ends up being the case that Stojakovic does come back for his final year, I think it should be the end of Illinois’ pursuit of Blackwell. There are multiple reasons for my thinking.
The numbers that Blackwell put up last season are great. When I look at the deeper numbers from EvanMiya.com, how valuable is Blackwell on the floor?
Last season, Blackwell finished ranked No. 80 in the country in BPR (Bayesian Performance Rating). He was much more of an offensive threat, but he was still only No. 52 in the country in OBRP. Compare that to Wagler, who was No. 11 in BPR and No. 8 in OBPR.
I would argue the biggest reason why snagging Blackwell out of the transfer portal might be a bad thing if Stojakovic is around is that Blackwell is going to need the ball in his hands.
Blackwell took 13.6 shots per game. He was the lead dog on the Wisconsin team, and Illinois already has numerous players who will need the ball in their hands in 2026-27.
David Mirkovic is coming back. He is going to be a preseason All-American, and I think the ball will go through him every time down the court. He isn’t going to take a step backward from his 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
Underwood didn’t land Vaaks for him to take a backseat on the Illinois roster. His 15.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game are coming with him. His usage is going to be extremely high for the Illini next season.
Illinois is looking to replace 912 shots from players who are departing and played meaningful time with the program – Wagler, Boswell, Ben Humrichous.
Vaaks attempted 380 shots last season. He is going to get more attempts with Illinois. Quentin Coleman is going to need the ball, as he is a top 35 recruit coming in. Mix that in with Illinois’ current roster developing and wanting the ball, and where does that leave Blackwell?
All of this is a moot point if Stojakovic departs the program. If he goes, dump a ton of resources into Blackwell. If Stojakovic comes back, let’s end the Blackwell chase.
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