Illinois basketball set for Big Ten title push after major retention

Illinois basketball enters the 2026-2027 season with a rather rare trait: continuity. In an era dominated by the transfer portal and nonstop roster turnover, the Illini have retained the core of a team that reached the Final Four and established itself as one of the nation’s elite programs. That retention should be a big reason why Illinois basketball should be considered a favorite to win the Big Ten. The retention comes down to a simple number brought up by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. The Illini bring back 65.4% of their scoring from a team that went to the Final Four.

The importance of returning 65.4% of a team’s scoring cannot be overstated. The players already understand the system, have developed on-court chemistry, and know what is required of them to compete at a championship level.

Watch out Big Ten

Brad Underwood has built an Illinois basketball roster that has proven to be extremely productive. Returners David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Jake Davis are all proven at the Big Ten level. Purdue head coach Matt Painter has voiced it multiple times in the past decade or so: You have to get old and stay old to win in college basketball.

In addition to the veterans, the Illini bring in offensive superstar Stefan Vaaks from Providence and five-star freshman Quentin Coleman.

If Illinois basketball can continue its stellar play from the 2025 NCAA tournament, there should be no doubt that they will be holding a trophy at the end of its season.

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