Illinois basketball is reshaping the roster this offseason, as we are looking to compete for a national championship.
This past season fell short of expectations. At one time, I thought the Illini could win a national title. That perspective all changed midway through the season when things started falling apart.
Brad Underwood didn’t get Illinois back to the Elite 8, but we were an interesting team nonetheless. Now that the offseason has begun, the team is starting to take shape for next season. A big addition on Monday night helps.
Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with the addition of David Mirkovic
No. 1 Guard
- Starter: Kylan Boswell
Nothing that happened on Monday changes the fact that Illinois has a solid point guard with Kylan Boswell. He averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season.
I see Boswell being locked into the No. 1 guard spot. He should be the main ball handler, as that was his best role on the team in 2024-25.
- Transfer Portal #1 – Solid Backup
Illinois is still void of another good point guard. I don’t think we will land someone huge from the transfer portal, but the Illini will need a solid backup at the No. 1 guard spot. I want someone who can spell minutes for Boswell but not be a liability when on the court.
No. 2 Guard
- Starter: Ty Rodgers
People have an issue with me starting Ty Rodgers next season. The kid started all 38 games for the Illini in the Elite 8 run, and now he has decided to come back for another season. It would surprise me to see Rodgers not starting.
I have Rodgers at the No. 2 guard spot. This is a role traditionally slotted for a big-time shooter, but Underwood plays positionless basketball. I could see Boswell and Rodgers sharing the backcourt and facilitating the ball quite often. Look for Rodgers to be a utility player for the Illini.
- Backup: Ben Humrichous
If Ben Humrichous does get to come back and play next season, I see him as the primary backup at the No. 2 spot. He has the ability to knock down shots, but he is one of the streakiest shooters on the planet. I also want to see him shoot closer to the three-point arc rather than from NBA range. Humrichous would be a nice depth piece.
- Backup: Brandon Lee
I think Illinois is going to have a sneaky good scoring option with Brandon Lee. The four-star recruit lit up the high school basketball scoreboard, and now he is coming to Champaign. Look for him to get minutes in year one and be a nice player off the bench.
- Transfer Portal #2 – 3-Point Shooter
Honestly, I don’t trust the No. 2 spot all that much. I love Lee as a freshman, but he is inexperienced. Humrichous had some serious issues shooting and with defense last season. I do like Rodgers, but he has his limitations too. Illinois needs to go out and get more depth when it comes to shooting. Let’s use a transfer portal option on this position.
No. 3 Wing
- Starter: David Mirkovic
Illinois is going out and getting big-time talent like David Mirkovic so he can start. He isn’t coming over to ride the pine. I think Mirkovic comes to the Illini and is the starter at the No. 3 wing spot.
Mirkovic has great size at 6-foot-9, but he is someone who can play all over the court. He can step back and shoot from long range, but he is also a great rebounder on both ends of the court. Mirkovic is exactly what Illinois needs starting on the wing.
- Backup: Jake Davis
It was nice to see Jake Davis come back for another season. He played good minutes last year, averaging 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Continuously jumping schools isn’t a good thing, so with a year in Underwood’s system, we can really see how Davis develops. I like him as a backup at the No. 3 spot.
- Backup: Keaton Wagler
As a four-star recruit and the best player coming out of Kansas, I could see Keaton Wagler making some noise on the Illinois roster. He has a nice 6-foot-6 size, and I think he can shoot from all levels. Look for Wagler to get minutes and earn Underwood’s trust through the first half of the season.
No. 4 Forward
- Starter: Tomislav Ivisic
Illinois has a special duo in the paint for 2025-26. I have Tomislav Ivisic coming back and starting at the No. 4 spot. Ivisic is poised to have a great season, and look for him to be a first-team All-Big Ten player.
Ivisic averaged 13.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks in his first year of college basketball last season. He also developed his three-point shot, leading the Illini at 35.7%. Look for Ivisic to have a massive season.
- Transfer Portal #3 – Rotational Piece
There isn’t a ton of depth in the frontcourt for the Illini. I like who is in the starting rotation, but we are going to need more talent if we want to win. Underwood needs to go into the transfer portal and pull out a nice rotational piece at the No. 4 spot. This player can play 8-12 minutes per game.
No. 5 Forward
- Starter: Zvonimir Ivisic
Underwood and the Illinois coaching staff did a great job bringing in Tomislav’s brother, Zvonimir. He is a big-time transfer from Arkansas and should help stabilize the paint for the Illini.
I have Ivisic starting at the No. 5 spot heading into next season. This past season with the Razorbacks, Ivisic averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He also hit 37.6% from three-point range. Having these two on the court at the same time is going to be fun.
- Backup: Jason Jakstys
There is a big question mark with Jason Jakstys. He is someone who hasn’t seen the floor for the Illini, but there is some potential to be had. I like Jakstys’ size at 6-foot-10, but I need to see more out of him as a backup. I can’t wait to see what he can do in the non-conference. For now, I have him as a backup at the No. 5 spot.