Get ready, Illini fans, because the upcoming season is shaping up to be a rollercoaster! Big Ten Media Day in Rosemont on October 2nd gave us a sneak peek, with Brad Underwood, Kylan Boswell, and Ben Humrichous representing the Orange and Blue. Humrichous stepped in for Tomislav Ivisic at the last minute, as Ivisic was recovering from tonsil surgery. The team addressed questions before their first exhibition game against Illinois State on Sunday, October 19th. Let's dive into the top three storylines that have everyone buzzing for the 2025-26 season.
Ty Rodgers' Health: A Critical Concern
The biggest question mark hanging over the team is the health of Ty Rodgers. After months of speculation, the news broke: Rodgers partially tore his patellar tendon, as reported by Joey Wagner following Media Day. This is a serious blow, as a torn patellar tendon typically sidelines players for **6 to 12 months, depending on the severity.** Rodgers brings a unique blend of athleticism and defensive versatility that this Illinois team desperately needs. Coach Underwood remained tight-lipped, neither confirming nor denying whether Rodgers would return at any point this season.
See AlsoLaila Phelia's Inspiring Comeback: Overcoming Vision Loss to Star at SyracuseXavier Musketeers Takeaways: Exhibition Loss vs. Murray State | Pitino Era BeginsNate Oats Compares Davion Hannah to Herb Jones: Alabama's Perimeter Defense UpgradeConor Enright IU Basketball Profile: 2025-26 Indiana Hoosiers Guard PreviewMihailo Petrovic's Eligibility: The Waiting Game
Mihailo Petrovic arrived in Champaign in late August, just before the school year began. Despite securing a visa, he's still awaiting word from the NCAA regarding his eligibility. Coach Underwood admitted, "I wished I had that answer." Petrovic, a highly-rated four-star prospect according to 247Sports, is expected to make a significant impact once cleared. He's known for his strong playmaking skills in ball screens and the kind of speed that would significantly boost Illinois' transition offense. Remember, Tomislav Ivisic was cleared in late October last season, so the hope is that Petrovic's situation will be resolved before the season opener on November 3rd.
Keaton Wagler's Rise: The Hype is Real!
Hold on to your hats, because the Keaton Wagler hype train has officially left the station! Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated and the Field of 68 have added fuel to the fire. Sweeney shared on X after visiting Champaign, "Hype around freshman Keaton Wagler is justified. Plays with rare maturity + feel for an 18-year-old. Expect him to make an early impact." Coach Underwood has been showering Wagler with praise, stating, "We had two one-and-done last year, and not to put too much pressure on him, but he’s in that category. He’s an elite competitor who reminds me a lot of Ayo." Kylan Boswell also chimed in earlier this summer, simply stating, "He’s cold just flat out. He’s really, really good." Wagler, despite not being a top-100 recruit, comes with a winning pedigree, having won back-to-back state championships and being named Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year. He's ahead of schedule in his development and is expected to be a major part of Illinois' rotation this season. The 6-foot-6 guard is even competing for a starting spot and is poised to make a bigger impact than anyone initially predicted.
What do you think, Illini fans? Are you optimistic about Rodgers' recovery? How crucial is Petrovic's eligibility? And are you as excited about Wagler as everyone else? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
