Brad Underwood has a good problem on his hands in Champaign: a roster with real depth, real talent and not nearly enough minutes to go around.
Illinois brought in multiple elite freshmen and a proven transfer this offseason, but the veteran core is still in place. That leaves Underwood with the familiar challenge of fitting new pieces into a group that already knows how it wants to play without shaking the chemistry loose.
The easiest places to start are at the top of the rotation. Five-star freshman Quentin Coleman is expected to slide into the point guard spot vacated by Keaton Wagler, while Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks looks lined up to take over at shooting guard.
Vaaks arrives with some résumé, too, coming off an Estonian League Championship and a Big East All-Freshman Team nod after averaging 15.8 points per game and shooting 35% from 3-point range last season. Both newcomers project for 26-30 minutes a night in the starting five.
David Mirkovic should also be right there from the opening tip. After a standout freshman season, he started 35 of Illinois’ 36 games last year and has essentially secured his place in Underwood’s preferred lineup.
Andrej Stojakovic is the more interesting lineup question. He sat out 11 games behind Jake Davis late last season after returning from injury, and it remains to be seen whether Underwood goes back to that setup.
Still, Stojakovic was Illinois’ second-leading scorer last season, and if he’s fully healthy, it would be a surprise to see him begin the year on the bench. A 28-30 minute role makes sense for him.
That doesn’t leave much room for Davis, but he still matters. With Vaaks in the mix, the backcourt balance changes, and Davis becomes the kind of piece Illinois can lean on as a sixth man.
Vaaks and Davis both give the Illini spot-up shooting, but pairing Vaaks with Stojakovic gives them another late-clock creator. Davis should still be in line for 18-20 minutes, keeping Illinois steady on the perimeter with spacing and defense.
The frontcourt rotation looks a little more settled. Tomislav Ivisic appears locked into the starting center job after starting two seasons there for the Illini.
His mix of pick-and-pop spacing, 3-point shooting, low-post scoring and passing should keep him around 22 minutes per game. Zvonimir, meanwhile, could be in line for a bigger share than he had last season.
He averaged 17 minutes a game a year ago, and it would be a surprise if that number dipped. Underwood can use him for about 18 minutes to tap into his rim protection, vertical finishing and stretch-five ability.
The hardest calls may come further down the bench, where the freshman wings Lincoln Williams and Lucas Morillo are trying to break through. Both have generated plenty of buzz, but the question is whether they’ll actually see the floor this season or have to wait for the returning group to move on.
Their best shot at minutes is positional flexibility: each can handle guard and wing duties. Williams brings explosive vertical pop and transition scoring, while Morillo offers controlled ball-handling and playmaking.
If they defend and rebound with discipline, 10-12 minutes per game is within reach.
In Other News...
Illinois Recruiting Surge Just Reached A Different Level
Brad Underwood has Illinois back in a familiar place on the recruiting trail, but the group on campus this week signals a different kind of momentum. The Illini are hosting multiple Class of 2027 prospects, including two five-star recruits and one four-star talent, and all three are ranked among the top 30 nationally by 247Sports. For a program already sitting with the No. 5 recruiting class in the country, it is another sign that Illinois is not just chasing elite talent, it is getting them to seriously consider Champaign.
The early class foundation already includes two committed four-star players, and Illinois has kept the broader board active with 26 offers out to other prospects. What makes this stretch so notable is the caliber of the visitors Underwood is bringing in this early, a group that can change the ceiling of a class if the Illini can keep building on it. The attention now turns to whether this visit can help Illinois turn a strong start into something even bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Still Has One Big Mirkovic Question Heading Into The Season
David Mirkovic is still part of the conversation as Illinois gets closer to the season, and the latest update offers at least some relief after a summer foot injury raised real concern inside the program. The key piece for the Illini is that he is currently expected to be available for regular season games, which matters for a team that could use his presence in the backcourt and on the ball.
The lingering issue, though, is whether the injury will hang around enough to affect him once games start counting. Illinois has other options if it does, with Stefan Vaaks and Quentin Coleman among the ball handlers who could see expanded roles, but Mirkovic's status remains one of the bigger preseason variables to watch. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Fans Just Got An Unexpected Knapik Twist Up Front
A promising addition up front has taken an unexpected turn for Illinois, but Ayden Knapik is still very much part of the program. After transferring in, Knapik suffered a knee injury in January and medically retired from playing football, shifting his role from competitor to teacher as he now works as a student offensive line assistant while finishing his degree.
The change keeps him close to the same room where his football future once seemed headed, and it comes with an added layer for Illini fans watching the offensive line this fall. His younger brother, Nathan Knapik, is expected to open the season as Illinois starting right tackle, giving the family a new connection to the position group Ayden can still help guide from the sideline. [Read more 🡒]