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Aug. 7—College football training camps might have kicked into gear across the country this week, but it's always basketball season. That's not just a feeling I hold either. The folks at ESPN decided this week was the week to for the 2026-27 season.
Myron Medcalf has Illinois third in the Big Ten behind Michigan State and Michigan. If you recall my top 25 from a week or so ago, I had Illinois, Michigan State and Michigan in that order for my top three. Medcalf put the Illini's floor as a second-round exit in the NCAA tournament and ceiling at another Final Four appearance.
That part isn't necessarily unfair. At minimum, Illinois should make it into the expanded NCAA tournament and take care of business in the first round. The second round can be tricky, of course. Just ask Florida how it felt losing to Iowa in the second round last season.
A Final Four ceiling? Might be underselling Brad Underwood and Co. This is a team that can (could? should?) compete for a national championship. Stringing that number of wins together in the NCAA tournament isn't easy, but Illinois got pretty close four months ago and returns a decent chunk of that team.
"For three straight seasons, Brad Underwood's group has finished top 15 in adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom," Medcalf wrote. "Based on that recent history, the team will again boast one of the nation's most imposing offensive units, especially with three of last season's top five scorers returning. That's the positive.
"The obstacles: It's also never easy to replace a leader such as lottery pick Keaton Wagler, who averaged 18.0 points in the NCAA tournament and carried the Illini to the Final Four. Plus, David Mirkovic (13.3 PPG, 38% from beyond the arc), who was ready for a starring role this season, underwent surgery on his foot this week. If he can return to 100% early enough, this team's ceiling is raised significantly."
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Myron Medcalf has Illinois third in the Big Ten behind Michigan State and Michigan. If you recall my top 25 from a week or so ago, I had Illinois, Michigan State and Michigan in that order for my top three. Medcalf put the Illini's floor as a second-round exit in the NCAA tournament and ceiling at another Final Four appearance.
That part isn't necessarily unfair. At minimum, Illinois should make it into the expanded NCAA tournament and take care of business in the first round. The second round can be tricky, of course. Just ask Florida how it felt losing to Iowa in the second round last season.
A Final Four ceiling? Might be underselling Brad Underwood and Co. This is a team that can (could? should?) compete for a national championship. Stringing that number of wins together in the NCAA tournament isn't easy, but Illinois got pretty close four months ago and returns a decent chunk of that team.
"For three straight seasons, Brad Underwood's group has finished top 15 in adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom," Medcalf wrote. "Based on that recent history, the team will again boast one of the nation's most imposing offensive units, especially with three of last season's top five scorers returning. That's the positive.
"The obstacles: It's also never easy to replace a leader such as lottery pick Keaton Wagler, who averaged 18.0 points in the NCAA tournament and carried the Illini to the Final Four. Plus, David Mirkovic (13.3 PPG, 38% from beyond the arc), who was ready for a starring role this season, underwent surgery on his foot this week. If he can return to 100% early enough, this team's ceiling is raised significantly."
Continue reading...
