The Illinois basketball team is navigating the transfer portal this offseason better than I thought so far.
While we haven’t landed a new face just yet, the Illini have done a good job keeping a couple of key pieces on the team. I think there are more players about to come back and join the program as well.
Brad Underwood still has a lot of work to do to make Illinois a contender in 2025-26, though. As of right now, the lineup is looking a little soft in the middle, but there is so much time left in the transfer portal.
Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with Kylan Boswell returning
No. 1 Guard
- Starter: Kylan Boswell
The best option to play the point right now on the Illinois basketball team is Kylan Boswell. This is where he would fit in the best because of his great passing ability.
I have said it before, aggressive Boswell is my favorite Boswell. When he has the ball and goes downhill through the paint, that is when he can do the most damage. I like Boswell leading the Illinois offense and locking down on defense. He is my starter at the No. 1 spot.
- Transfer Portal #1
Illinois needs to go out and get a quality backup point guard. Boswell can’t do this by himself. This player doesn’t need to be incredible, but he needs to be able to give Illinois a solid 10-13 minutes per game. Someone from the mid-major level probably wouldn’t be a bad idea.
No. 2 Guard
- Starter: Jake Davis
The No. 2 guard position makes me the most nervous right now. If the season started tomorrow, I would have Jake Davis starting in this role.
Davis averaged 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in his first year with the Illini. He also hit 34.4% from three-point range, which was second on the team. Davis is a nice piece for the Orange and Blue, but I don’t believe he is a starting player.
- Backup: Brandon Lee
Illinois has a couple of four-star recruits coming into the program. Brandon Lee is someone who could push Davis for minutes in year one.
Lee is a great athlete who can shoot the ball. His primary focus at the high school level was scoring, as he averaged 23.9 points per game this past season with The Patrick School. Illinois is getting a certified bucket getter with Lee on the roster.
- Transfer Portal #2
I believe Brad Underwood needs a starting No. 2 guard. I like both Davis and Lee, but Davis’ defense isn’t where it needs to be, and Lee is a freshman. Landing someone like Josh Dix from Iowa would be perfect. He is a 6-foot-6 guard who averaged 14.4 points and hit 42.2% from three-point range.
No. 3 Wing
- Starter: Ty Rodgers
The re-addition of Ty Rodgers back into the lineup was huge for Illinois. It gave me some comfort after losing Tre White. I think Rodgers comes back and is the starter at the No. 3 spot.
Rodgers took a year off from playing and just continued to improve his game. He has the chance to make a huge impact on the Illini. The last time we saw him, he averaged 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. Out on the wing, he can be freer to go get rebounds and take players off the dribble. I am excited to see what he can do for the Orange and Blue.
- Backup: Keaton Wagler
Illinois’ other exciting freshman coming into the program is Keaton Wagler. This kid is flying under the radar, as he is barely a four-star recruit but was named the best player in the state of Kansas.
At 6-foot-6, Wagler gives Illinois another big option out on the wing. He can shoot from three-point range with great accuracy, and he has tremendous athletic ability. I can’t wait to see how this kid develops in year one at Illinois.
No. 4 Forward
- Starter: Ben Humrichous
If Ben Humrichous wanted to come back to Illinois, he could do so because of a judge saying that JUCO and NAIA players have another year of eligibility. That gives the green light to Humrichous to play another year at Illinois. If he does, I think he comes back and starts at the No. 4 spot.
Humrichous was a frustrating player this past season. I expected a lot more out of him, as he was supposed to be our ace three-point shooter but finished third on the team in three-point shooting. Illinois needs more out of Humrichous if he does come back.
- Transfer Portal #3
Underwood needs to go out and get more transfer portal talent. We have plenty of spots open and adding someone who can push Humrichous for the starting job at the No. 4 spot would be ideal. I want someone who could play at least 20 minutes per game in multiple areas.
- Transfer Portal #4
Illinois loading up on forwards isn’t a bad idea. The more frontcourt depth, the better. I think adding a mid-major player who can give the program 5-10 minutes on a given night is what we need. The Illini need more depth in case something happens with health.
No. 5 Forward/Center
- Starter: Tomislav Ivisic
My hopes and dreams are that Tomislav Ivisic returns to the Illinois basketball team. With Boswell coming back, I think there is a real chance that he knows Ivisic will also return. If Ivisic does return, he immediately starts at the No. 5 spot.
Ivisic is the best big man I have ever seen at Illinois. He can post up in the paint, but he then stretches out the defense by being able to hit from three-point range. Ivisic is such a threat, and I want him back in Champaign.
- Backup: Jason Jakstys
Illinois’ roster is a bit thin in the frontcourt, but having a player like Jason Jakstys helps. He redshirted last season, but he has been in the program a year and knows what Underwood is looking for.
I have Jakstys as the primary backup at the No. 5 spot. He would get some minutes behind Ivisic, but I am curious on his development in the year he has been with Illinois.
- Transfers Portal #5
Here is where things could get really interesting. Illinois needs more depth in the frontcourt, and my eyes are set on Ivisic’s brother, Zvonimir. He is transferring from Arkansas, and if Illinois lands him, everything changes.
If that ends up being the case, I have Zvonimir starting at the No. 5 spot and Tomislav moving to the No. 4 spot. These two monsters would be huge for the Illini.