Conversations about a national championship don’t happen often in Champaign, but the Orange and Blue crowd has every reason to dream big this season. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place on May 27 when Andrej Stojakovic announced his return, locking in an Illinois roster that will enter the season with a target on its back.
Retention has been the headline of the offseason for Illinois, as it returns not just players, but the core contributors and leaders from a team that just went to its first Final Four since 2005.
Over the last 20 years, more than 75% of national champions returned at least three key rotation players from the previous season’s squad. Illinois has that box checked, returning a battle-tested core that includes David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojaković , Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Jake Davis. No other team in the country has brought back the combination of talent and high-level experience that Illinois has.
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The Retention
As last season progressed, Illinois fans witnessed individual development as key pieces fully embraced and excelled in their specific roles. Look no further than the bigs the Illini will boast again this year. The incredible length and versatility of Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic give Illinois one of the most dominant frontcourts in the entire country. Rather than starting from scratch, Underwood gets to send out a duo that has already developed into their roles on both sides of the ball.
However, a truly elite frontcourt requires more than just height, it requires versatile forwards. That is where sophomore David Mirkovic completely changes the ceiling for Illinois. As an All-Big Ten Freshman Team selection, Mirkovic put on an clinic last season, averaging 13.3 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds, as a freshman. His ability to step out and stretch defenses by shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc brings another level of versatility to this offense that already gives opposing team headaches. He went from a young, high-upside newcomer to a potential dark-horse All-American candidate who can fully change this teams identity with another year in Champaign
Complementing these pieces is senior wing Jake Davis. When injuries changed the rotation last year, Davis stepped perfectly into a starting role, providing veteran leadership and consistent perimeter shooting. Knocking down 40.6% of his looks from three-point range, Davis gives Underwood a trusted, high-IQ floor spacer who punishes defenses for mishaps. Together, Mirkovic’s dynamic game and Davis’s elite perimeter shooting transforms the Illinois frontcourt from just size and versatility into a matchup-proof nightmare for opposing teams.
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Another key piece of this squad is Andrej Stojaković. His maturity over the course of last season turned him from a highly touted prospect into a high-major star capable of hunting his own shot on the biggest stage. Stojaković was one of the key factors that allowed Illinois to advance to their first Final Four in 2 decades. Scoring 21 points in the Round of 32 against VCU and 17 points in the Elite Eight against Iowa, he returns a mixture of veteran leadership and undeniable talent. By electing to withdraw from the NBA Draft and finish what he started in Champaign, Stojaković gives Illinois the one thing every true national champion needs: an alpha scoring wing who is already familiar with the offensive and defensive system.
This returning continuity means Brad Underwood won’t have to waste much time teaching basic defensive rotations or offensive sets. While other schools are trying to blend a dozen new transfer portal faces, the Illini will be working with a team that already knows how to win on the biggest stage.
Just because Illinois has returned star players, doesn’t mean they didn’t go out and acquire more talent. Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks might walk into State Farm Center as one of the most talented players on this squad. The 6-foot-7 elite shooting guard from Estonia lands in Champaign coming off an historic freshman campaign where he shattered the Providence freshman scoring record with 491 points. Vaaks’ rare combination of size, perimeter shooting, and vision creates a problem for opposing defenses.
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The new age of college basketball didn’t sway Illinois from prep recruiting either, as five-star Quentin Coleman will be joining this Illini squad for his Freshman season. Coleman will enter this season with sky-high expectations, and every ounce of those expectations are deserved. Coleman brings an already elite shot making ability to the court, packaged with intensity on the defensive side of the ball. A combination like that is a stepping-stone to seeing an increase of minutes on the court as a Freshman. Coleman recently earned a spot on the USA Basketball U18 National Team roster. The only other Illini to do this? Ayo Dosunmu, Ty Rodgers, and Morez Johnson Jr., – a group of players that most Illini fans will agree have undeniable talent. With the departure of Kylan Boswell and Keaton Wagler, watch out for Quentin Coleman to continue the tradition of elite Illinois guards.
The Flip Side
Look, it’s easy to look at this roster and fall in love with the best-case scenario for this Illini team. The talent, veteran leadership, and experience are undeniable. But before fans book hotel rooms for the next Final Four, the hype needs to simmer just a bit. The pressure on top-five preseason teams is immense, and more often than not, highly touted squads crumble under that weight.
Historically, the Illini have always played the underdog role much better than the role of the hunted. Going into November with a target on your back can be a curse if you aren’t careful. The Big Ten is also on track to be just as elite as last year, where 4 of the 8 Elite Eight teams were from the Big Ten. Illinois also loaded up on a brutal non-conference schedule where fans will see Texas Tech, Duke, and UConn. A mixture of a tough non-conference schedule with an even tougher conference schedule is a recipe for disaster if the Illini aren’t careful.
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Can Illinois Win a National Championship?
If any team is equipped to handle this gauntlet, it is this one. The difference between a team that fizzles under the weight of preseason hype and one that rises up comes down to culture and continuity, which are two things Brad Underwood has secured. For decades, Illinois basketball has been defined by the dominance of teams that fell just one weekend short of Illini history being made. The iconic 1989 Flyin’ Illini and the 2005 squad both have their permanent places in history, but they also carry the sadness of what could have been. For 2026-27, Brad Underwood finally has the formula down. Elite size and leadership in the Ivisic brothers, versatility and tenacity in David Mirkovic, an alpha scoring wing in Andrej Stojakovic, and new backcourt firepower. To answer the question, can Illinois win a National Championship in 2027?
Absolutely.
