Illinois has to be considered one of the most intriguing college basketball teams in the country as the 2024-25 season begins in earnest. It’s time to consider this club’s vast world of possibilities – and the major storylines that will dictate how its reality ultimately plays out.

The joys (and perils) of youth

It is THE question for Illinois this season, yeah? Would the Illini have been better off if Coleman Hawkins, Dain Dainja and Luke Goode, for example, had all stayed for their final seasons in Champaign? We will never know. But we can confirm that this is Underwood’s best recruiting class yet, and he made sure to hedge against his freshman’s readiness with plug-and-play transfers -experienced chugs such as Ben Humrichous and Kylan Boswell. Did he mix it well?

Will the defense be assembled in time?

That’s been Underwood’s main concern this offseason, primarily in regards to the limited time he hopes to spend with this group. Humrichous is the only Illini whose eligibility expires after the season, but it would be naive not to expect another roster shakeup next year. At worst, a mix of pampered recruits and mercenaries is a recipe for defensive disaster. But Underwood, who swears he recruits character, might just have a special group this go-around.

Will one bullet be enough?

The #EverydayGuys thing is selling to the circuits, and for now, the Illini are saying all the right things about playing for each other and rowing in the same direction. But it’s easy when you’re 1-0 and everyone is eating. Let’s see the reaction after Illinois’ first back-to-back losses. (Don’t pretend it’s not likely.) Ego and athleticism go hand in hand. Now add in NBA aspirations, NIL and a roster full of young guys who, until a few months ago, had no investment in each other. It will be interesting to see if it will be all eyes on the prize or every man for himself.

The glove

The Big Ten is down, but can Illinois even beat it to the conference slate? The Illini have the 14th strength of schedule (according to ESPN analyzes), and are scheduled to face No. 2 Alabama, No. 12 Tennessee and No. 16 Arkansas before Christmas, with a big February showcase coming up at Madison Square Garden against No. 7 Duke . Underwood’s instincts may be right — test this team quickly because they can only have one run together — but we’ll know soon enough if he’s bitten off more than the Illini can still chew.

Portal Hunt

There’s no way around it: The transfer portal is quickly becoming college basketball’s version of free agency, which many purists hate. That’s fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Now follow the program, Grandpa. Forget what you know about “amateurism” and embrace a system that (rightly) gives players the same freedom of movement as their much better paid coaches. If the season is a success — and maybe even if it isn’t — there will be no turning back for Underwood. The future will be gate or bust for the Illini.

Ty Rodgers’ destination

This is the dark side of the portal. After taking on a leadership role and working hard in the offseason to correct his one (albeit glaring) weakness, Rodgers had a one-on-one with Underwood on Monday and I chose to wear a red shirt this season. The worry for many is that, like others who have been in his shoes (including former Illini Sencire Harris last season), Rodgers will be released on bail. But would it be more disappointing to see him leave Champaign for a better opportunity or play sparingly on the Illini bench? In any case, Rodgers himself won’t be a distraction. For the opening game, he could be seen sitting with the team, fully engaged and cheering on his teammates.

Just once?

Yes, the talent level in Underwood’s freshman class is interstellar, but what good would it do if the NBA called next spring and split the group? Some thoughts: If even one Illini freshman leaves because he’s a projected first-round pick (but especially if there are more), that probably means Illinois had a pretty damn good season . We’ve even seen younger teams win championships. Additionally, this type of success attracts the attention of future recruits. And that, according to Underwood, is how you continue to give your program a chance to win a national title year after year. Let’s see if he’s onto something.

Participate in the Big Ten

Even for those who disagree with Illinois’ approach to roster building, you have to admit: Underwood’s timing is impeccable. Purdue lost Big Ten Player of the Year to Zach Edey, most college basketball fans outside of West Lafeyette would have a hard time naming a returning player, and yet the Boilermakers are still considered the conference favorites. Indiana and UCLA have talent, Michigan State has Tom Izzo and Rutgers has two freshmen who could shake things up, but the Big Ten is everyone’s ball game. That includes the Illini.

The Elite Eight in the watermark

Although UConn has won the title each of the last two years, no other team has reached back-to-back Final Fours since North Carolina in 2016 and 2017. Additionally, blue bloods Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and Tar Heels have all been sent home before the final weekend of the season each of the last two years. Increasingly, current success in college basketball is a poor indicator of future success. So one could argue that, based on last year’s results, the Illini could be eliminated in the first round this season. You could also rationalize, for the same reason, that this could surpass the Elite Eight. And that sort of spectrum of possibilities actually seems about right. Which brings us to…

Can Illinois win a national championship?

Are the Illini young? Yes. Did they spend a lot of time playing together? Compared to the other contenders, absolutely not. But most Division I newcomers, teenagers or not, played under bright lights and faced intense pressure before even stepping foot on campus. Plus, we’ve seen too many Florida Atlantics, Wichita States and VCU to know that in today’s game, sometimes a healthy dose of skill, a stroke of luck and a wheelbarrow full of, uh, belief can dispatch almost any team. on an NCAA tournament heater. If these Illini freeze out before the end of February, there’s no point in capping their cap space.

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