STEP UP: Illinois Fighting Illini face FINAL FOUR pressure as Brad Underwood returns ELITE talent!

Locked On College Basketball · Sep 7, 2026 · 32m

Illinois Fighting Illini gear up for another Final Four run—can they defy the odds without Keaton Wagler's magic? Brad Underwood returns three key starters, including David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic, but faces backcourt uncertainty after losing both Wagler and Kylan Boswell. Impact freshmen like Quentin Coleman and transfer Stefan Vaaks look to fill critical roles, while Mirkovic’s health remains a crucial storyline with the season approaching.

Isaac Schade and Andy Patton break down Illinois’ roster retention, frontcourt depth, and whether Stojakovic can emerge as a Big Ten scoring…