How could Illini's rotation shake out in 2026-27?

Apr. 23—The transfer portal closed Tuesday with the Illinois roster (mostly) set for the 2026-27 season. Two open spots providing some late spring or summer flexibility for Brad Underwood and Co., but it feels safe to project out a starting lineup and rotation. Here's how beat writer Scott Richey currently sees it:

The starting five

Stefan Vaaks, So., Guard

A better fit for Illinois couldn't have been made in a lab. Vaaks checks every box. The Estonian standout has the necessary positional size at 6-foot-7. Then there's his making 35 percent of his three-pointers on a Big East-leading 260 attempts last season at Providence. Don't forget his European heritage even if he's from the Baltics and not the Balkans. It's a combination that should make for a seamless transition in Champaign.

Quentin Coleman, Fr., Guard

Keaton Wagler declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft, as expected, means Illinois will lose its leading scorer from it Final Four team. That's one thing Coleman certainly knows how to do. Just look at the MSHSAA Class 3 title game where the 6-4 guard dropped 50 points on 18 of 21 shooting to help Principia (Mo.) win its second straight state championship. Coleman was efficient, too, shooting 65 percent overall and 51 percent from three-point range.

Andrej Stojakovic, Sr., Guard

Stojakovic came off the bench for the final 11 games of the 2025-26 season after a February ankle injury sidelined him for two games and Underwood got comfortable with Jake Davis as a starter. While Stojakovic actually produced more in fewer minutes off the bench, it seems like a safe assumption he'll start his last season the same way he spent most of his first at Illinois for the same reason. His slashing ability dovetails perfectly with a lineup full of shooters.

David Mirkovic, So., Forward

The sheer number of ways Illinois can use Mirkovic could create an interesting year two for the 6-9, 250-pound forward. Next year's team seems set up for a playmaking by committee approach, so those "Point Mirk" moments in the second half of last season could be more prominent. Putting the 20-year-old Montenegrin in either side of a ball screen action is a matchup few teams will be able to easily handle and Illinois can further exploit.