After a bumpy start to the transfer portal season, the Illinois basketball team is starting to navigate things well.
Brad Underwood has the Illini on the right path. Things were looking pretty bleak at one point, but there are now some key players returning. I also believe Illinois has upgraded at the center position.
With the returning players and a transfer portal addition, the Illini roster did change a bit for the better.
Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with the addition of Zvonimir Ivisic
No. 1 Guard
- Starter: Kylan Boswell
The Illinois offseason has gone much better than it did in 2024. We have already had some big pieces decide to return, and the first domino to fall was Kylan Boswell.
Boswell is returning and will start at the No. 1 guard spot as of right now. He averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season. The pluses for him coming back are his experience, leadership, and ability to get to the rim. He does need to work on his outside shooting, as he only shot 24.5% from three-point range.
- Transfer Portal #1 – Solid backup, 6th or 7th man
Underwood isn’t nearly finished with the transfer portal. Illinois still has, roughly, four openings on the roster, and there are some serious needs.
I think Illinois needs to go out and get a nice backup point guard. This program is going to need someone to help give Boswell some rest, and if he is ever in foul trouble. I am not looking for a starter, but more someone who can come in and play 8-12 minutes a night.
No. 2 Guard
- Starter: Jake Davis
With the way the roster looks right now, I think the best option at the No. 2 guard spot would be Jake Davis. I have been going back and forth on this one, but Davis is someone who could give Illinois the most outside shooting threat.
Davis spent his first season at Mercer and then transferred to Illinois. He averaged 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in year one with the program. The best thing about his game was his three-point shooting, as he knocked down 34.4% from outside, which was second on the team. Davis’ defense does need to improve greatly, though.
- Backup: Brandon Lee
I think Brandon Lee comes into the Illinois program and pushes for minutes. Early on, he won’t get a ton of time, but by mid-season, it wouldn’t shock me to see Lee push Davis for the starting job.
Lee is a four-star recruit coming from the high school ranks. He is a great athlete who has an incredible shot from all over the court. As of right now, I would have him as the primary backup to Davis and they would eventually be in a timeshare.
- Transfer Portal #2 – Starting No. 2 guard
Underwood needs to go out in the transfer portal and use one of the final four spots on a starting-caliber shooting guard. We need someone who can get a bucket and play a little defense. Illinois was void of shooters this past season, and it killed us at the end. Let’s get someone who can shoot from outside consistently.
No. 3 Wing
- Starter: Ty Rodgers
The re-addition of Ty Rodgers was exciting. After taking a redshirt last season, I thought Rodgers was for sure going to depart the program. Instead, he announced he was returning. I think that gives Rodgers the green light to start at the No. 3 spot for the Illini.
I see Rodgers playing the Tre White and Quincy Guerrier role. He is someone who can slash to the basket and snag rebounds. I do want to see Rodgers’ shot develop more this season, though. He had a year off, so I imagine he improved offensively. Rodgers should be starting at the No. 3 spot.
- Backup: Keaton Wagler
Another freshman coming into the program is Keaton Wagler. The 6-foot-6 wing is a four-star recruit who is flying under the radar. He just won the award for the best player in the state of Kansas, and now Illinois is bringing in this big-time player.
Wagler will get minutes in year one. I think he would fit best as the primary backup to Rodgers at the No. 3 spot. I love Wagler’s size, and I think he can score from all levels on the court. He would give Illinois much-needed depth.
- Transfer Portal #3 – Quality minutes eater
I like the first and second options at the wing for Illinois, but I think we need a little more depth. I want Underwood to go out and get a nice minutes-eater. We need someone who can play 5-10 minutes per game. This player would play the Jake Davis role from last season.
No. 4 Forward
- Starter: Tomislav Ivisic
It was amazing hearing the news that Tomislav Ivisic was returning. This was announced on Saturday, and now Illinois instantly becomes a threat to do some damage next season. With that news, I have Ivisic starting at the No. 4 spot.
I have never seen a player like Ivisic at Illinois. He has great size at 7-foot-1. He can rebound well and play defense around the bucket. On top of that, he can step out and shoot from three-point range. Ivisic averaged 13.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game last season. He also averaged a team-high 35.7% from three-point range.
- Backup: Ben Humrichous
There is a chance Ben Humrichous returns to the Illinois lineup for next season. He has another year of eligibility since going the NAIA route, and this enables him to return.
Humrichous averaged 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in the first season with Illinois. He knocked down 34.3% of his three-pointers as well. If Humrichous could settle into the Illinois lineup and start shooting the way we know he can shoot, then I think he can be a starter. For now, I have him as the primary backup behind Ivisic at the No. 4 spot.
No. 5 Forward
- Starter: Zvonimir Ivisic
I mentioned earlier that Saturday was great for the Illini. We got back Tomislav Ivisic, who is an incredible player. Ivisic is bringing along his brother, Zvonimir, as well. The Ivisic’s announced they were coming back and joining the Illinois basketball lineup.
With Zvonimir in the fold, I have him starting at the No. 5 spot for the Illini. Honestly, it doesn’t matter who is at the No. 4 or No. 5 between Tomislav and Zvonimir. They are both similar players who can do similar things on the court. Zvonimir is 7-foot-2, and he averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game at Arkansas last season. He shot better than his brother from three-point range, knocking down 37.6% on the year.
- Backup: Jason Jakstys
Illinois fans haven’t seen Jason Jakstys suit up just yet. He is a 6-foot-10 big man who we snagged last season from the state of Illinois. I have heard good things about Jakstys, but it is hard to rely on someone who hasn’t played a second for the program.
Jaksyts took a redshirt last season, and as of right now, I would have him as the primary backup to Ivisic at the No. 5 spot. I do like that he has been in Underwood’s system for a season, so he knows what is expected and how to run both ends of the court.
- Transfer Portal #4 – Solid backup, 6th or 7th man
Illinois needs to go out and get a solid backup at the No. 5 spot. We need someone who can give the program 13-18 minutes off the bench. This player is the sixth or seventh man who can give some rest to either of the Ivisic brothers next season. I need someone I can trust.