Illinois basketball has added to the program for the 2026-27 season, and it was a big one for the future.
On Friday afternoon, the Illini managed to pull in a commitment from Quentin Coleman. He is a top 40 recruit in the country, and it shows that Brad Underwood has really built a well-oiled machine in Champaign.
With the commitment of Coleman comes a depth change. Illinois is adding a pretty good player, and that will change everything for the future.
Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with the addition of Quentin Coleman
No. 1 Guard
Starter: Mihailo Petrovic (JR)
Illinois is going to be in desperate need of a point guard heading into the 2026-27 season. Mihailo Petrovic seems like the easy answer to the point guard questions.
Petrovic wasn’t as advertised this season, but he has a year under his belt. He played in 19 games and averaged 1.6 points and 1.1 assists per contest. I look for him to make a big jump entering his second year with the team.
Backup: Ethan Brown (FR)
The backup role is likely just going to be David Mirkovic bringing the ball up the court, but we need someone to fill this spot in this article, so I have Ethan Brown.
Brown has the ability to bring the ball up the court. He has good handles, but he is best when shooting. Illinois is getting a true combo-guard with Brown, and that gives Underwood more flexibility.
No. 2 Guard
Starter: Quentin Coleman (FR)
I think Quentin Coleman is committing to Illinois because there is an element of seeing what Keaton Wagler can do in year one. Underwood has proved he can develop talent, and Coleman is next in line.
Coleman could easily be Illinois’ starting shooting guard. He is a top 40 recruit and is fresh off winning the MaxPreps Missouri High School Basketball Player of the Year award. As a senior, Coleman averaged 23.1 points on 50.6% shooting from three-point range. He is someone who could really help light up the scoreboard in the Illini offense.
Backup: Brandon Lee (SO)
Illinois fans didn’t get a chance to see a ton of Brandon Lee in year one. He took the path of a traditional freshman, playing in 18 games and averaging 1.7 points in 4.1 minutes per contest.
Lee can’t be compared to what Wagler did this season. Every path is different, and he has a chance to be a big contributor as a sophomore. I expect Lee to see double-digit minutes each game next season.
No. 3 Wing
Starter: Jake Davis (SR)
Jake Davis finally took a leap on the Illinois roster this season. He isn’t putting up huge numbers, but he has that Lucas Johnson mentality of a team glue guy.
While Davis is only putting up 5.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game this season, he has fit in comfortably with what Illinois wants to do. He will give you a random 16-point game, and his shooting ability is always a threat. I think he heads into next season as the starter at the No. 3 spot.
Backup: Lucas Morillo (FR)
Illinois was able to pull in a top 60 recruit in Lucas Morillo. He is someone who can really help the Illini in his first season, and I fully expect him to be a contributor from day one.
As of right now, I have Morillo coming in and playing on the wing. He has good size, and I love his shooting ability. He can really give the opposing defenses some key mismatches.
No. 4 Forward
Starter: David Mirkovic (SO)
If Mirkovic does come back for one more season, I would venture to say he is going to be one of the favorites to win the John R. Wooden Award.
Mirkovic has been such a big part of the Illinois basketball program this season. He came out of nowhere, averaging 13.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Mirkovic is someone who could end up playing his way into serious conversation about being a lottery pick in the NBA Draft as well. I have him as Illinois’ starting forward next season.
Backup: Toni Bilic (SO)
I am curious what Illinois is getting with Toni Bilic. He came over from overseas, and he has been on the bench for the Illini.
Bilic hasn’t put up huge numbers overseas, but he is someone Underwood wanted, so there is something he sees in this kid. Illinois will get him playing time next season, and I have him as the primary backup to Mirkovic.
Backup: Landon Davis (FR)
My guess is that Landon Davis comes into the Illinois program and takes a redshirt. This seems like a logical move considering the depth we will likely have in the frontcourt.
Davis is a good player who registers as a three-star on 247Sports. While I think he rides the pine in year one, I am always going to second-guess myself after what we saw with Wagler.
No. 5 Center
Starter: Tomislav Ivisic (SR)
Illinois will hopefully have the dynamic duo of big men back next season. Heading into the 2026-27 campaign, I think Tomislav Ivisic would be our starter.
I have been somewhat disappointed with Ivisic this season. He isn’t the three-point threat he used to be, but there is a talented big man still in that body. Ivisic is just more back-to-the-basket nowadays.
Backup: Zvonimir Ivisic (SR)
The brother of Tomislav, Zvonimir, will then be his backup. They will likely see the same number of minutes, but Ivisic brings a different style to the court. He is more of a three-point shooter and someone who can stretch the floor.
I love both Ivisic brothers, and if Illinois can retain them, we should have a force in the frontcourt next season.
Backup: Jason Jakstys (SO)
There isn’t much growing for Jason Jakstys in the Illinois system. He is a good player, but I would be surprised if he is around next season. He won’t get much playing time unless Illinois is gutted.