Our biggest questions for Underwood and Illinois in 2027
· Yahoo Sports
On paper, Illinois projects as one of the most talented and intriguing teams in college basketball. Returning roughly 60% of its total minutes from last year’s Final Four run, the Illini have most certainly turned heads across the country. Yet, beneath the off-season hype and a loaded roster, no team is bulletproof.
As Brad Underwood looks to build on his success of years prior, we must look past the preseason hype for a bit and ask: where is this roster vulnerable?
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Perimeter Defense
The consistent perimeter defense that defined Illinois’ identity just a year ago will look much different this season. Last year, Underwood had the privilege of rolling out All-Big Ten Defensive selection Kylan Boswell, a relentless Keaton Wagler, and the versatile combination of Ben Humrichous and Andrej Stojakovic. With Stojakovic being the lone returner of that core group, a heavy portion of the perimeter defensive burden will now fall on his shoulders.
While this 2026-27 roster brings length and offensive upside that rivals any team in the country, the defensive blueprint will require a shift in style. Both Ivisic twins provide Illinois with elite rim protection and interior presence, but asking 7-footers to extend those skills out to the three-point line is a big order against modern offenses. We saw flashes of this challenge last year when David Mirkovic was tested on the perimeter. While his high basketball IQ and feel for the game allowed him to hold his ground, matching up against explosive guards on the outside is a high expectation.
A similar dynamic applies to Jake Davis and Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks. Both are highly skilled, passionate players, but they don’t possess the raw lateral quickness needed to keep up with elite scorers. Freshman 5-star Quentin Coleman offers some defensive upside. With positional size and a quick first step, Coleman may carry some of the weight on the defensive side of the ball. During his senior campaign at Principia, Coleman averaged an impressive 2.7 steals per game, one of the main reasons he lead his team to back-to-back state titles.
Nonetheless, Illinois needs a perimeter defender outside of Andrej Stojakovic. If they want to replicate last year’s success, someone else must step up and prove they can guard the perimeter, or this teams explosive offensive ceiling might be canceled out by their defensive floor.
Go-to scorer
Brad Underwood’s most successful teams have always featured a go-to bucket getter. While this year’s roster boasts perhaps the highest offensive ceiling fans have seen in decades, it also enters the season lacking a proven, late-game closer. With Keaton Wagler gone, someone has to step into that void. Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks put up big numbers in the Big East, but jumping straight into the No. 1 option role on a national championship contender is a big ask.
This is where Andrej Stojakovic can take the ultimate leap. Last year, Stojakovic thrived as an overqualified secondary option off the bench, operating at peak efficiency as a downhill attacker and being consistent in the midrange. However, to become the alpha the Illini need, he has to find his confidence and consistency from deep. His three-point percentage dipped to a career-low 24.4% last season. If he wants to command the spotlight this year, unlocking that perimeter jumpshot is a must.
If the answer doesn’t come from the perimeter, David Mirkovic could offer a completely different solution. The 6-foot-9 forward possesses a fascinating skill set that is much different than the traditional Big Ten positioning. Rather than a guard hunting isolation looks, Mirkovic has the passing skills and basketball IQ to serve as the team’s ultimate offensive hub. We saw flashes of that elite feel for the game last season, but stepping into a true alpha role will require more than fans may think.
Questions like these must be asked by the fans and media as we inch closer to November. This roster has the capabilities to overwhelm any opponent. Yet, college basketball isn’t played on paper, and pre-season rankings rarely pan out as expected. In a world where college basketball is more talented than ever, the margin between winning a national championship and being an early exit in March is slimmer than most realize. The outcome of this team will be an indication on how they addressed these, and other weaknesses that arise. Illini fans are tired of “what could have been” teams, and this one has the capability to leave it’s name in the history books.