With the national championship concluding on Monday, Illinois basketball is now jockeying for position in the transfer portal.
The Illini are going to get hit from the transfer portal and the NBA. That is just what happens to good teams, and we are one of the best in the nation.
But, as of right now, Illinois’ roster is pretty full. No one has departed via the transfer portal or NBA, so the roster consists of 15 scholarship players as of typing this.
That is a lot of talent, but what could the Illinois lineup look like next season if nothing changes on the roster right now?
Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup for 2026-27 before the transfer portal and NBA
No. 1 Guard
Starter: Keaton Wagler (SO)
It is fun to think about what could be next season if all players stick around, but we all know that Keaton Wagler is likely heading to the NBA.
Wagler hasn’t officially declared yet, though. So, he is still Illinois’ starting No. 1 guard heading into next season. Illinois would be getting back an All-American point guard who put up 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. This kid is the real deal.
Backup: Mihailo Petrovic (JR)
I believe Mihailo Petrovic needs to take a huge step forward this offseason. He is someone who had a ton of hype entering the program, but he really fell flat this season.
Petrovic could easily be Illinois’ starting point guard next season. With Wagler still on the roster, I have Petrovic being the primary backup. We need him to develop quickly.
No. 2 Guard
Starter: Jake Davis (SR)
There were a lot of good moments this season for Jake Davis. He played with a lot of heart, and there were multiple games he heated up from three-point range.
Illinois is guaranteed to need to replace one starting spot, and I think just shifting Davis to the starting No. 2 guard would be a smart move. He has the shot, and his defense took a step in the right direction this season. He would likely be in a timeshare, though.
Backup: Quentin Coleman (FR)
There is a real chance Illinois has another freshman have a great year for the program. Quentin Coleman is a special player who could come in and start from day one.
At worst, Coleman will get double-digit minutes. I could see him push Davis for a starting job. My guess is that he would see more minutes on numerous nights. Coleman is going to be such a spark for the Illinois offense.
Backup: Brandon Lee (SO)
Illinois fans didn’t get to see a lot of Brandon Lee this season, but the fact that he couldn’t see the floor unless it was mop-up duty worries me.
Lee has talent, but Underwood didn’t trust him on the court. Historically, it doesn’t seem like young players who don’t see a ton of minutes in year one receive a big boost in minutes in year two. I could be wrong, but I have a feeling Lee could be behind Coleman next season.
No. 3 Wing
Starter: Andrej Stojakovic (SR)
There is a chance Illinois has some serious experience returning next season. Getting Andrej Stojakovic back in the fold would be huge for the roster and the young guys on the team.
Stojakovic isn’t a great shooter, but his driving ability is phenomenal. He averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds this past season, and I think he would start next year at the No. 3 spot if he comes back to Champaign.
Backup: Lucas Morillo (FR)
Illinois’ class of 2026 could make a nice impact on the team in 2026-27. Lucas Morillo is coming in as a sharpshooter, and his size has me intrigued.
Morillo is 6-foot-7. That is dangerous size to have on the wing. He could come in and be somewhat of the opposite of Stojakovic, as Morillo can be dangerous from outside. Underwood loves the big guards, and Morillo fits that mold.
Backup: Ethan Brown (FR)
While Illinois can house all of the players who are on the roster right now, I think there will be some redshirts next season.
Ethan Brown is a good player, but he probably won’t see minutes in his first season at Illinois. He has redshirt written all over him.
No. 4 Forward
Starter: David Mirkovic (SO)
If David Mirkovic comes back to Illinois, he would be a preseason All-American. I think you could make a case for him to be an All-American as a freshman this past season.
Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. All of those numbers ranked in the top three on the Illinois roster. If we can get him back in the Orange and Blue, we will have a good shot to win the national championship next season.
Backup: Toni Bilic (SO)
I am curious what Illinois is getting with Toni Bilic. He joined the program midway through last season, so that gelling will be beneficial.
Bilic has a nice game and great size. He is a solid 6-foot-8 forward who can help spell minutes for Mirkovic. The depth Illinois has with Bilic on the roster is pretty impressive.
Backup: Ty Rodgers (JR)
Honestly, I am not sure if Illinois can rely on Ty Rodgers being available. He has been out the past two seasons, so it is hard to tell what he is going to be when he hits the court again.
I can’t put Rodgers up there in serious contention for playing time. I have him as the second backup at the No. 4 spot. If Rodgers does start doing some work with the Illini, maybe he can move up the roster.
Backup: Landon Davis (FR)
Illinois has a few redshirt options for 2026-27, and Landon Davis falls in that category. He is a solid three-star recruit who checks in at 6-foot-8, but Illinois’ frontcourt already has plenty of depth. I could see Davis taking a redshirt next season.
No. 5 Center
Starter: Tomislav Ivisic (SR)
It is exciting to think that Illinois can get two 7-foot-1 or taller players back next season. If the Ivisic brothers do come back, Tomislav Ivisic would start again.
I liked Ivisic as a back-to-the-basket player last season. He tried to still stretch the floor, but that didn’t work too well. He had a couple of good moments against UConn, but he is now more of a paint player. I would like for him to work on rebounding entering his senior year, too.
Backup: Zvonimir Ivisic (SR)
Zvonimir Ivisic was a breath of fresh air off the bench for the Illini last season. He spelled minutes for his brother, and I think Ivisic is a better defender.
Ivisic led the Illini with 1.9 blocks per game. Having a 7-foot-2 big man coming off the bench and being a defensive menace is such an asset. These two would make Illinois a nightmare in 2026-27.
Backup: Jason Jakstys (SO)
Jason Jakstys has run out of redshirts, so I think he enters next season as the second backup at the No. 5 spot. He didn’t see much time before getting injured this season, but I don’t expect him to see minutes unless it is garbage minutes.