I can’t believe I am saying this, but the Illinois basketball team plays a game this week.
The Illini travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats in an exhibition game this Saturday, October 17. While I don’t believe it is televised, the game does start at 4:00 p.m. CT/5:00 p.m. ET.
Illinois has a lot of hype this season, starting the year in the top five in a lot of polls. We have plenty of talent returning, and there are some key players who have been added to the roster.
The starting lineup will look similar to that of last year. The Illinois backcourt will be different, though. Losing Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell hurts, but Brad Underwood did a great job replacing them.
Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup for the Cincinnati exhibition game
No. 1 Guard
- Starter: Quentin Coleman (FR)
I think the Illinois backcourt is essentially positionless. Anyone can bring the ball up and get the offense going. I have Quentin Coleman starting at the No. 1 guard spot. He should be able to do everything a point guard can do, plus he can be an electric scorer. I am excited to see his development as a freshman.
- Backup: Lucas Morillo (FR)
Underwood loves the big guards, and that is what Illinois is getting with Lucas Morillo. Morillo and Coleman might end up being the Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic from last season. Coleman will get all the shine, but Morillo will have a great freshman season and be crucial to Illinois’ success. It wouldn’t shock me to see him start a few games in 2026-27, too.
- Backup: Ethan Brown (FR)
I don’t think Illinois will need Ethan Brown in 2026-27. He will play some when games get out of hand, but his presence in the future will be needed. While players don’t redshirt anymore, year one for Brown should be about development for the future.
No. 2 Guard
- Starter: Stefan Vaaks (SO)
Illinois got one of the gems of the transfer portal with the addition of Stefan Vaaks. He averaged 15.6 points per game as a freshman, and he came back for his second year in the college ranks. The Illini will look for Vaaks to be a big-time scorer in the backcourt. He could easily ascend to All-Big Ten first team and a first round NBA Draft pick in this offense. I have Vaaks starting at the No. 2 guard spot.
- Backup: Zavier Zens (FR)
I believe Zavier Zens is one of the steals of the 2026 recruiting cycle. I know Illinois lists him as a forward, but I think he can play anywhere on the court. He will play the No. 2 through No. 4 spots this season. At 6-foot-7, Zens averaged 17.5 points per game while attempting 132 three-point attempts and hitting them at a clip of 42.0%. This kid is electric, and I think he would be best suited as the backup at the No. 2 guard spot.
- Backup: Lincoln Williams (FR)
A wild card for Illinois is Lincoln Williams. He was the best player coming out of the state of Illinois, but he wasn’t highly rated nationally. I think the Illini got a good one in Williams, as he can play anywhere in the backcourt. Look for him to get time this season, but for him to blossom in year two.
No. 3 Wing
- Starter: Andrej Stojakovic (SR)
While Andrej Stojakovic could play another year in college after this season, this is a make-or-break year for the talented wing. I have Stojakovic starting at the No. 3 wing spot. He was Illinois’ second-leading scorer last season at 13.5 points per game, but there is still plenty of room for him to grow. Getting better defensively and honing in on his three-point shot are two huge areas of improvement. If he can correct those issues, Stojakovic is an NBA first round pick.
- Backup: Jake Davis (SR)
Illinois always needs those players who stick around despite likely being able to start at a lot of places in the country. Jake Davis has been Illinois through and through. He comes back for his senior year and will likely be a primary backup at the No. 3 wing spot. Davis averaged 5.4 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting a team-high 40.6% from three-point range. He is our ace up the sleeve.
No. 4 Forward
- Starter: David Mirkovic (SO)
I believe David Mirkovic is a Naismith College Player of the Year candidate. This kid is an NBA player without a doubt. If he had declared for the NBA last season, I think he would have gone through the process and eventually been drafted. Mirkovic should start at the No. 4 forward spot and thrive for the Illini. He brings back his 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. At 6-foot-9, he also shot 37.5% from three-point range. He is Illinois’ Swiss Army Knife.
- Backup: Landon Davis (FR)
No one is talking about Illinois being thin in the frontcourt. Beyond the starters, it gets a little shaky. I think Landon Davis has a chance to get minutes for Illinois as a freshman. While I think Zvonimir Ivisic could be a backup at both the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, Davis could see his way into solid playing time. At 6-foot-8, he has the size needed to play the No. 4 spot, and I have him as a backup in this role.
No. 5 Center
- Starter: Tomislav Ivisic (5th)
The Illinois player who could make the biggest jump in the eyes of NBA scouts is Tomislav Ivisic. He enters his final year at Illinois, and he has gotten bigger. Ivisic averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game last season. If he could bump up his 31.3% three-point shooting to around 35%, then I think he is a serious contender to get drafted. Entering the 2026-27 campaign, I have him starting at the No. 5 center spot.
- Backup: Zvonimir Ivisic (5th)
Illinois has an insane luxury in having both Ivisic brothers. Zvonimir Ivisic is likely to be the primary backup at the No. 5 spot. He is the better defender on the court, but he struggled more last season than his brother. Ivisic averaged 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. The fact that Ivisic can have 1.9 blocks in 17.2 minutes of action is impressive. That is essentially a block every nine minutes on the court. He will be a huge asset in the frontcourt.
- Backup: Jason Jakstys (JR)
I am not sure what role Jason Jakstys will play this season. This seems to be the story every year, as Jakstys enters his third year with the program. He played in nine games for the Illini last season and averaged 1.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. I look for his role to be limited once again unless there is an injury.
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