CHAMPAIGN — Illinois has achieved a No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll for the 2026-27 college basketball season. This ranking was announced on Monday, marking the 22nd time the program has been included in the preseason poll and the sixth occasion during Brad Underwood’s coaching tenure.
This is the highest preseason ranking for Illinois since the 2001-02 season, when the team also held the third spot. That squad finished the season with a 26-9 record, claimed a share of the Big Ten regular season title, and advanced to the Sweet 16.
The Illini’s preseason rank reflects the return of five key players from last season: David Mirkovic, Jake Davis, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Andrej Stojakovic. Their return, along with the recruitment of five-star freshman guard Quentin Coleman and Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, has solidified Illinois’ status among the top teams in the country.
The top spot in the poll was earned by Florida, followed by Duke at No. 2. Connecticut and Arizona completed the top five. Other Big Ten teams recognized in the rankings include Michigan State at No. 6, Michigan at No. 16, USC at No. 21, and UCLA at No. 22. Teams such as Nebraska, Purdue, Ohio State, Iowa, and Indiana received votes but did not make the top 25.
Illinois recently opened its exhibition schedule with a 105-96 victory over Cincinnati, where Stojakovic led the team with 24 points. The Illini will face Baylor in their next exhibition game on Friday at 7 p.m. at the State Farm Center. Baylor recently secured an 82-76 win over Florida, highlighted by a 31-point performance from Penn State transfer Kayden Mingo.
The final preseason exhibition for Illinois is set against UIC on October 28 at 7 p.m. Following these preparations, the Illini will officially begin the 2026-27 season with a home game against Fairleigh Dickinson on November 2.
