Illinois was picked to win the Big Ten basketball title in the Columbus Dispatch’s preseason media poll, released Monday, according to On3. The Illini received 18 first-place votes in the unofficial poll that expands beyond the league’s official awards to include a full conference standings projection.
The selection reflects confidence in Brad Underwood’s roster a year after Illinois reached the Final Four. Michigan State finished second with nine first-place votes, followed by Michigan with one vote, UCLA and Nebraska.
The Case For Illinois’ Title Bid
Illinois’ offense has the tools to rank among the nation’s best. Sophomore forward David Mirkovic is the centerpiece, coming off a freshman season in which he averaged 13.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Now fully healthy after offseason foot surgery, Mirkovic is expected to emerge as a star and potential first-round NBA draft pick.
Senior wing Andrej Stojakovic and Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks form a formidable second and third scoring option.
Analytical expert Bart Torvik projects Mirkovic to average 16.5 points and eight rebounds this season. Stojakovic and Ivisic brothers Tomislav and Zvonimir are projected to average double figures, Stojakovic at 12.1 points and Tomislav at 10.8, according to Yahoo Sports. CBS Sports notes that if the Illini can mesh these pieces into clean basketball, their offense has a chance to rank in the nation’s top five.
The depth extends further.
Freshman guard Quentin Coleman, a five-star recruit from O’Fallon, Illinois, is projected to become Illinois’ second-leading scorer. The 247Sports No. 14 prospect in the 2026 class led Principia School in St.
Louis to a state title before reopening his recruitment and committing to the Illini. He is expected to average 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Fallon, Illinois, is projected to become Illinois’ second-leading scorer. The 247Sports No. 14 prospect in the 2026 class, who led Principia School in St.
Louis to a state title before reopening his recruitment during the Final Four, is expected to average 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He will pair with Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks to replace Kylan Boswell and Keaton Wagler in the backcourt.
Illinois’ frontcourt versatility also stands out. Both Ivisic brothers can shoot 3-pointers and pass, and both have added weight to serve as interior enforcers. Mirkovic can also stretch the floor. This combination allows the Illini to invert their offense and create space for their slick perimeter players.
The Contenders Behind Illinois
Michigan State earned nine first-place votes behind Illinois. The Spartans’ title hopes center on guard Jeremy Fears Jr., the lone unanimous first-team all-conference selection. According to CBS Sports, no Big Ten player has averaged more than 10 assists in a single season, and Fears has the skill to rewrite that record.
Michigan received one first-place vote, while UCLA and Nebraska rounded out the top five, indicating some voters believe each can challenge for the conference crown. UCLA’s presence in the poll suggests the newly added conference member carries national respect heading into its first Big Ten season.
Illinois’ Path Forward
The Illini will get their first look at the 2026-27 team on Oct. 17 in Cincinnati for an exhibition game. The regular season will follow, with the goal of hanging another Final Four banner. Underwood’s team seeks Illinois’ first outright Big Ten title since 2005, a drought that adds urgency to a loaded preseason.
Illinois’ title bid will hinge on execution and health. Coleman must adjust quickly to the college game, and the Illini must maintain their high-powered offense’s efficiency throughout the season to earn their first outright Big Ten title since 2005.
Reporting from Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, FOX Sports and On3 contributed to this story.
