Good Morning, Illini Nation: What will be up for discussion?
· Yahoo Sports
Sep. 8—The C-U Kiwanis Tip-Off Event is tonight, giving Brad Underwood his now annual opportunity to introduce the latest version of the Illinois men's basketball team. The Illini coach has also typically fielded questions from the fans in attendance, and he shouldn't be short of things to discuss just shy of two months out from the start of the 2026-27 season.
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Where in the world is Tomislav Ivisic?
Unless the 7-foot-1 center is a surprise guest, his absence is the proverbial elephant in the room.
How is David Mirkovic progressing?
The start of the 2026-27 season is, in fact, just 55 days away. Exhibitions will start before that. Will the 6-9 sophomore forward's left foot be fully healed and ready to go when the Illini square off against Fairleigh Dickinson?
What was the biggest summer highlight?
And why was it Lincoln Williams dunking on Zvomivir Ivisic?
How is Zvonimir Ivisic's hand injury?
Other than his brother being stuck in Croatia and Mirkovic's recovery from early August foot surgery, the 7-2 center's minor hand injury is the only other known "issue" facing the team.
Generally speaking, where does the team stand on the recruiting front?
There's a big-time visitor expected on campus this weekend. That Underwood can't discuss five-star guard NaVorro Bowman Jr. by name — an NCAA rule that has yet to fall — is fairly dumb. But the level of talent set to visit Champaign in the next month is HIGH.
What will it be like to see Ayo Dosunmu inducted into the HOF?
Dosunmu will be the youngest inductee in the still brief history of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame and, obviously, the first player Underwood coached to receive said honor. Will the Illini staff just connect Bowman to Dosunmu's hip for the weekend?
Is there such a thing as too much hype?
This team certainly has plenty projected in most circles as a top three program in the country. It's hit the individual level, too, with lofty expectations for five-star freshman Quentin Coleman to keep the streak of one-and-done draft picks going.
Will the various team awards ever come back?
Last year's Ralf Woods Free Throw Award winner would have been Andrej Stojakovic, and Ben Humrichous felt like a realy Matto Award kind of guy.