Illinois Basketball Enters 2025-26 Ranked 17th in the AP Poll.

Illinois Basketball is 21 days from tipping off the 2025-26 season against Jackson State. With a scrimmage vs Florida and an exhibition vs Illinois State, basketball season is here. After another strong year under coach Brad Underwood in 2024, expectations are once again high in Champaign entering his 9th season. Riding that wave of momentum, the Illini kick 2025 off ranked in the Top 25 for the 7th consecutive season—though seemingly, many expected they should have been ranked higher.

According to the Associated Press, Illinois will tip off 2025-26 ranked 17th in the nation.

Preseason AP Poll: No. 17 pic.twitter.com/M9MX6oUj2c

— Illinois Men’s Basketball (@IlliniMBB) October 13, 2025

Is the AP Underrating Illinois Basketball at No. 17?

Certainly, it’s a more than respectable starting spot. However, considering the Illini’s 6th overall ranking on KenPom and 7th slot in the Bart Torvik projections, the AP may be slightly underestimating this Illinois Basketball team.

Despite some notable turnover, including NBA one-and-dones Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley, in addition to Morez Johnson Jr’s transfer to Michigan, Illinois has the team to take a step forward in 2025. With Kylan Boswell and Tomislav Ivisic back, Illinois certainly has a strong core of developmental program pieces.

Coach Underwood also added high-upside talent from the transfer portal, including Andrej Stojakovic—a McDonald’s & Naismith All-American, All-ACC sharpshooter, and son of Peja Stojakovic—who comes to Illinois after seasons at Stanford and Cal, as well as 7’2 big man Zvonimir Ivisic, Tomislav’s twin, who joins after single-season stints under John Calipari at Kentucky and Arkansas. Adding even more intrigue are international pep additions Mihailo Petrovic and David Mirkovic, as well as Brandon Lee and Keaton Wagler — all 4-star recruits, who are expected to compete for minutes off the bench.

With this blend of experienced returners, proven transfers, and promising newcomers, Illinois has the talent and ability, once all is said and done, to prove that voters underestimated them at No. 17. Still, with many new players stepping into key roles, there is plenty for this team yet to prove. That said, with a tough slate scheduled, (No. 1 Purdue, No. 4 Uconn, No. 7 Michigan, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 12 UCLA, No. 15 Alabama, No. 18 Tennessee, No. 22 Michigan State, and No. 24 Wisconsin) there’s plenty of opportunity ahead for Illinois to make a statement, and prove their worth against some major tests.

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