The Illinois basketball team, coming off a challenging season that concluded with a **12-8** Big Ten record and an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, is striving to regain its competitive edge. Coach **Brad Underwood** and his staff have focused on revamping the roster, emphasizing a blend of experience and talent. The Illini aim to reposition themselves among the elite in college basketball as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Last season, Illinois relied heavily on a trio of freshmen: **Kasparas Jakucionis**, **Will Riley**, and **Tomislav Ivisic**. This year, the team has made significant adjustments, including bringing back Ivisic and enlisting senior guard **Kylan Boswell**. The addition of **Ben Humrichous**, a **23-year-old forward**, further strengthens their lineup. The Illini have also made strategic moves in the transfer portal, acquiring standout players such as **Andrej Stojakovic** and **Zvonimir Ivisic**, both of whom bring valuable experience from their time in the Power Four conferences. Additionally, **Mihailo Petrovic**, an experienced lead guard with several years of professional play overseas, joins the roster.
Despite these enhancements, ESPN analysts **Myron Medcalf** and **Jeff Borzello** have excluded Illinois from their list of top ten national title contenders. The rankings highlight programs that they believe have a stronger chance of capturing the championship. The teams recognized as contenders include **Purdue**, **Florida**, **Houston**, **UConn**, **St. John’s**, **BYU**, **Louisville**, **Michigan**, **Kentucky**, and **Duke**.
The question arises: What prevents Illinois from being considered among these elite programs? The Illini possess a seasoned head coach, a roster filled with skilled veteran players, and projections that indicate three players may enter the NBA draft. The team’s combination of experience and talent seems promising. Yet, the experts remain unconvinced, suggesting that the Illini must demonstrate their capabilities on the court during the **2024-25** season to change perceptions.
Illinois is expected to continue its focus on an international roster and a perimeter-oriented playing style. As the new season approaches, the team will have the opportunity to showcase its revamped lineup and potentially shift the narrative. Until then, the Illini will need to prove themselves worthy of a spot in the national title conversation.
In a landscape filled with competitive programs, the path to recognition will require not just talent, but consistent performance and results. The Illini’s upcoming games will be crucial in determining their standing as they seek to reclaim their status among college basketball’s elite.
