3 Intriguing Illinois Lineups for 2026-27 – and What Makes Each So Dangerous

For a second straight season in 2026-27, Illinois will be overflowing with talent and production. The only question: How will coach Brad Underwood find minutes and touches enough for everyone? Fortunately, especially early in the season while the Illini are figuring out their ideal rotation and lineups, plenty of members of the crew will get a shot to work themselves into the mix.

Here are three potential lineups – and the superpower(s) of each:

Three unique Illinois basketball lineups that could be dominant in 2026-27

Feb 1, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) and center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) celebrate after a shot in the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

*Disclaimer: None of the below options are our Illinois on SI projected starting lineup

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Lineup 1 strength: rim protection and elite shooting

Guard: Stefan Vaaks
Guard: Quentin Coleman
Wing: Jake Davis
Forward: Zvonimir Ivisic
Center: Tomislav Ivisic

A double-Ivisic lineup had to be featured on this list. In the always-physical Big Ten, many teams deploy a two-big attack, which would be entirely neutralized by a frontcourt combination of Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic (not that David Mirkovic can’t also hold his own down low).

Offensively, both of the Ivisic twins have shot above 35 percent from deep in at least one season during their college careers, while Stefan Vaaks and Jake Davis will be two of the premier sharpshooters in the country. And, not for nothing, Quentin Coleman is one of the top marksmen in the 2026 high school recruiting class.

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Lineup 2 strength: transition ability

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) drives Saturday, April 4, 2026, past UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) during a Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Guard: Stefan Vaaks
Guard: Ethan Brown
Wing: Jake…

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Publish date : 2026-07-15 22:54:00

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