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I was so pumped to see this picture on the Illinois Men's Basketball Twitter page last night as all seven Illini newcomers have arrived on campus and will be beginning summer workouts.
From left to right are incoming freshmen Landon Davis, Xavier Zens, Lincoln Williams, Ethan Brown, Lucas Morillo and Quentin Coleman, and Providence transfer Stefaan Vaaks.
Of course, Vaaks and Coleman are expected to be starters next season, with Morillo likely carving out a role off the bench.
In terms of the other four freshman, it shall be interesting to see if either Brown, Davis, Zens and Williams can earn some spots minutes on a veteran Illini team.
I am very excited about this group, hoping that Illinois can retain as many of these six freshmen as possible after next season. Development will be key for many of these players during the 2026-27 campaign, not necessarily in games but on the practice court and in the weight room.
This could very well be the next generation of Illinois basketball so here's hoping this group can stick around and develop with Illinois possibly losing a lot of experienced players following next season.
Of course, Vaaks and Coleman are expected to be starters next season, with Morillo likely carving out a role off the bench.
In terms of the other four freshman, it shall be interesting to see if either Brown, Davis, Zens and Williams can earn some spots minutes on a veteran Illini team.
I am very excited about this group, hoping that Illinois can retain as many of these six freshmen as possible after next season. Development will be key for many of these players during the 2026-27 campaign, not necessarily in games but on the practice court and in the weight room.
This could very well be the next generation of Illinois basketball so here's hoping this group can stick around and develop with Illinois possibly losing a lot of experienced players following next season.
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