Can Illinois basketball make another run to the Final Four?

Last season, Illinois finished 28-9 and reached the Final Four, falling to UConn 71-62 in the semifinals. It was the program’s first Final Four appearance in 21 years, and there’s plenty of reason to believe the Illini could make another run this season.

Illinois has reached consecutive Final Fours just once before, in 1951 and 1952, when the NCAA Tournament featured just 16 teams. Could this year’s group make history?

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The makeup of this year’s team

CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 17: Andrej Stojaković #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball while being guarded by Tylen Riley #10 of the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first half during an exhibition game at Fifth Third Arena | Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The Illini have a slightly different version of their Balkan Five, with Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic, Andrej Stojaković and David Mirkovic returning. Stefan Vaaks takes the place of Mihailo Petrovic in the mix.

Illinois also returns Jake Davis (out now for a while with injury) and reserve center Jason Jakstys. The program added a highly touted freshman class that Sports Illustrated ranked sixth nationally among high school recruiting classes.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 17: Tylen Riley #10 of the Cincinnati Bearcats and Quentin Coleman #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dive after a loose ball. | Dylan Buell/Getty Images

That class is led by five-star guard Quentin Coleman, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound prospect from St. Louis, Missouri. Coleman is an elite scorer with playmaking potential who could follow in the footsteps of Kasparas Jakucionis, Will Riley and Keaton Wagler by making an early jump to the NBA.

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He is joined by two highly regarded shooting guards: 6-foot-7 Lucas Morillo of Boston and 6-foot-7 Zavier Zens of Milwaukee. At 215 pounds, Zens is more of a traditional wing, but both players bring excellent rebounding ability. Morillo also has impressive ballhandling and playmaking skills for his size.

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Publish date : 2026-11-04 23:17:00

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