si
Life isnt all sunshine and rainbows, but it certainly feels that way in Champaign at least when it comes to Illinois hoops.
With Illini Nation still riding the euphoric high of a Final Four run, its also looking ahead to a 2026-27 campaign for which it can rightfully hope for even more.
But although Illinois will enter next season every bit a juggernaut and national title contender, coach Brad Underwood doesn't gave to dig far to find areas for improvement.
Here are three potential areas of concern for the Illini going into the 2026-27 season: Three concerns for Illinois basketball in 2026-27 Generating defensive pressure Last season Illinois hung its hat on keeping opponents off the free-throw line (No.
1 in free-throw rate allowed).
But there was a drawback: The Illinis forced turnover percentage was dead last in the country.
Ideally, Illinois can toe the line somewhere in the middle which, based on recent comments, may be Underwoods intention for next season.
With the Illinis size and length, they dont need to put themselves in fouling positions to create chaos.
Sitting in passing lanes, playing with active hands, simply staying aware and anticipating all of it will allow Illinois to generate more turnovers (blocks count, too).
On top of that, strictly in terms of on-ball pressure, the Illini should ramp it up (which may be tougher without Kylan Boswell).
Wing Andrej Stojakovic may embrace that defensive stopper role, but Illinois needs to find a way to apply more defensive pressure on the ball across the board.
The only issue: The Illinis exceptional size translates to less foot speed, which makes it tougher to deploy consistent on-ball pressure.
In scenarios when the Illini have a lead which was fairly often a season ago and that trend is likely to continue next year they are perfectly content to sit back, not foul, apply minimal pressure and simply yield nothing easy.
But if the Illini ever find themselves in a hole, theyll be unable to dig themselves out if they dont at least toy around with aggressive schemes once in a while.
Reliance on production from freshmen "The Retention" proved successful this offseason.
The Illini returned five rotation players, and they also brought in big-time transfer Stefan Vaaks.
That totals six projected rotation players.
Five-star freshman Quentin Coleman is expected to push that number to seven, meaning Illinois is going to need production out of (at least) one other freshman.
With a high school class of six recruits and given Underwoods proven eye for talent, the Illini will presumably have a college-ready contributor (if not multiple) not named Coleman in that crew.
But what about Coleman? He may be ultra-polished and a lauded decision-maker, but hes still a freshman.
And its not a secret: veteran guards win in March.
The Illini are going to need Coleman to provide value, but if he is forced to be their primary backcourt option which, admittedly, seems unlikely then the ceiling will remain high, but perhaps not national championship high.
Ball-screen defense Offense is rarely a problem for Illinois.
Dislike the matchup-hunting, iso-ball, no-off-ball-movement approach if you want, but the Illini can score.
Underwood, between his scheme and personnel, makes sure of that.
Defensively, though, there are some question marks one of which is Illinois ball-screen defense.
At times in 2025-26, the Illini were carved up by opposing ball-handlers in the pick-and-roll (Michigan States Jeremy Fears Jr.s masterpiece leaps to mind).
The main culprit(s): drop coverage and the Ivisic twins.
Given their size, and despite Zvonimir boasting slightly better lateral agility than his twin brother Tomislav, the Illini seemingly feel they have no choice but to stick in drop coverage.
Unfortunately, that often leads to one of two results: 1) Guards snake the screen, get an Illini defender on their back and work themselves into the lane before getting off an open floater, spraying to an open teammate for three or tossing a lob to a big man (think Fears or UCLAs Donovan Dent) or 2) midrange maestros simply step into a comfortable pull-up jumper.
Naturally, Illinois is going to be opposed to switching ball-screen coverages entirely (surely, the Ivisic twins didnt miraculously stumble into running-back-like agility over the past few months) which means the Illini must slightly alter their current setup.
Add a dig from the wing, put an emphasis on guards quickly getting through screens or get creative in some capacity whatever it winds up being, Illinois must implement a few minor tweaks to ensure it isnt once again heavily vulnerable against ball-screen action.
Primarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting.
Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember.
An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024.
He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.
Follow jglangendorf.