4. Illinois Fighting Illini
While plenty of noise in Illinois’ offseason surrounded their international recruiting efforts (and rightfully so), Underwood returns three starters from last year’s team: Kylan Boswell, Tomislav Ivisic and Ben Humrichous. In addition, Ty Rodgers, who started in all of Illinois’ 38 games on the 2023-24 Elite Eight team before red-shirting last season, is also back. From the transfer portal, Andrej Stojakovic delivers all the goods as a 6-foot-7 guard who averaged nearly 18 PPG at California last season. Zvonimir Ivisic, Tomislav’s brother, also joins the Illini. Ivisic averaged 8.5 PPG and 4.3 RPG at Arkansas.
Sifting through Illinois’ European talent, David Mirkovic, one of the top international prospects in the class of 2025, joins the fold, helping fill the need at the four. PG Mihailo Petrovic is another name to watch, who is reportedly an MVP candidate in the Adriatic League, according to reports. Illinois expects to be among the top teams in the Big Ten next season thanks to its unique blend of returnees/experience, proven transfers and high-upside international recruits.
3. UCLA Bruins
Donovan Dent was among the prized transfer portal recruits in this year’s transfer portal cycle. The 6-foot-2 high-scoring guard averaged 20.4 PPG and 6.4 APG while shooting at an efficient clip, both from the field and from three at New Mexico. Pairing Dent alongside Skyy Clark in the backcourt is as strong of a 1-2 backcourt punch in the Big Ten. Tyler Bilodeau also returns, who can turn on the scoring jets in a hurry. He led the Bruins in scoring last season with 13.5 PPG while corralling 4.6 RPG.
Cronin is betting on Michigan State transfer and former five-star recruit Xavier Booker’s upside. But Cronin also has proven double-digit scoring forward Eric Dailey Jr. to work with on the wings, too. The gamble on Booker remains an intriguing mystery system/fit-wise. But there’s no shortage of talent in Westwood. The Bruins are a clear top-five Big Ten team in 2025-26.