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Why Illinois Basketball is a Top Offensive Team Entering 2025-26

Between an experienced veteran core, and a wave of talented newcomers, Brad Underwood has potentially pieced together one of the nations more efficient offenes.

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Illinois Basketball. Kylan Boswell. Photo Credit: Kylan Boswell on Instagram. (@kylanboswell).
Illinois Basketball. Kylan Boswell. Photo Credit: Kylan Boswell on Instagram. (@kylanboswell).

Illinois Basketball is less than 48 hours away from taking on Illinois State in their first preseason exhibition, and only 17 days (11/3) from tipping off the 2025-26 season against Jackson State at home. Brad Underwood has carefully crafted what could be one of the most efficient offenses in the nation over the offseason, and soon, Illini fans will get their first live look at this team.

In preparation for the Fighting Illini’s opening tip, college hoops expert Ryan Hammer of the Blue Blooded Podcast joined Austin Burklund and Alex Kyi of the Armchair Illini podcast to preview Brad Underwood’s 2025-26 squad and break down why Illinois could potentially be one of the most high-octane offenses in the country this season.

How good will they be? According to Hammer, their firepower may be good enough to supplement a very deep tournament run.

 

Ryan Hammer on Why Illinois Basketball Will Be a Top Offense in the Big Ten in 2025-26

In addition to a strong core of veteran returners, Underwood’s staff added high-level international prep talents Mihailo Petrovic (Serbia) and David Mirkovic (Montenegro), along with U.S. prep recruits Brandon Lee and Keaton Wagler to make an immediate impact in Champaign. All of whom are four star prospects, who could add some much needed juice to an Illinois offense losing two first-round talents.

The biggest splash however, came in the transfer portal, with the addition of All-ACC sharpshooter and former McDonald’s All-American Andrej Stojakovic—who will pose as a leading threat for the Illini. Last season with Cal, Stojakovic averaged 17.9 points (42.7 FG%) and 4.7 rebounds per game and is expected to be a go-to scorer in Underwoods system. Plus, Illinois staff added Zvonimir Ivisic— the 7’2  twin brother of Tomislav Ivisic—who was formerly recruited by John Calipari at Kentucky, before following Coach Cal to his transitioning season at Arkansas, and later joining his brother in Champaign to boost the Illini’s front court.

Together, this roster possesses the pieces to be one of the nation’s top offensive units. Still, with several new faces stepping into key roles, Illinois’ success will hinge on how well, and how quickly the unit gels.

Prior to tipoff, the question remains: what will be this team’s strengths and weaknesses as it carries high expectations into 2025, with a challenging schedule ahead? Ryan Hammer breaks it all down.

Illinois Basketball remains near and dear to Ayo Dosunmu.

Illinois Basketball. National Anthem. State Farm Center. Photo Credit. Brad Underwood. X/Twitter. (@Coachunderwood).

Illinois Strengths of According to Hammer

Despite losing Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis to the NBA, Hammer believes Brad Underwood may have pieced together an offense that could take a big step forward from last season.

“In terms of strengths — offense obviously,” says Hammer. “I just think they have more experience, more playmaking, and more craft to them that kind of raises their ceiling a little bit.”

Hammer’s Potential Weakness for Illinois Basketball

That said, Hammer isn’t entirely sold on the Illini’s front court. He believes Illinois could struggle with rim protection, which may be a weakness for this highly anticipated squad after last seasons challenges.

I think weaknesses will be similar to last year. I think in the front court in terms of defensive presence,” states Hammer. “They may struggle in games like they did against Maryland last year.

The loss of talented freshman Morez Johnson Jr. to Michigan was undoubtedly a major blow to Illinois’ frontcourt depth. While “Big Z” Ivisic brings length at 7’2”, strength has been a concern in the past for the Croatian big man. Adam Fletcher and the Illinois staff have added nearly 30 pounds of muscle to Ivisic to help him compete with other Big Ten bigs. However, his progress remains to be seen on the court.

What’s Illinois Ceiling if this Offense is Clicking?

According to Hammer, the Illini’s blend of veteran experience and talented newcomers are capable of pushing Illinois Basketball further than they have been as a program in two decades. That is, if their offense is clicking at the high-octane level that it’s capable of.

When they’re on offensively, I think it’s going to be great — the craft, the playmaking, the ball movement, the offensive system — it’s going to be awesome. I’m very excited for that, and I think having two primary playmakers on the court — Andrej is so smooth on the ball, he’s such a good scorer, like, it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch,” Hammer says.

I think their ceiling is higher this year than it was last year. So, I think their ceiling is like a final four team, and if things go well, they could be a 2-3 seed at their peak this year.”

 

Illinois basketball guard Brandon Lee up against Mihailo Petrovic.

Illinois Basketball. Brandon Lee. Practice at Ubben Basketball Complex. University of Illinois. Champaign, IL. Photo Credit: Courtney Bay. Illinois Athletics. (@Illiniathletics).

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Kirkland is an expert source for Illinois athletics news. He is the lead Football analyst at Armchair Illini and has been featured in top media publications like Bleacher Report, Yard Barker, Autograph, Newsbreak, CBS Sports and more.

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