Illini Basketball 2025-26 Season Preview: Roster Breakdown & Big Ten Tiers w/ Ant Wright

Host Austin Burklund kicks off the basketball season preview on the Armchair Illini podcast. He's joined by basketball expert Ant Wright (@itsAntWright) to break down a completely revamped Illini basketball roster. They dive into expectations for key players like Tomislav Ivisic , ACC transfer Andre Stojakovic , and the new European additions. Ant Right shares his perspective on what Ben Humrichous needs to do to bounce back and how much the team will miss the physicality of Morez Johnson. The conversation shifts to the Big Ten landscape, where Ant ranks the conference tiers (hint: it's "Purdue and then everybody else" ) and discusses his favorite transfers coming into the league. Finally, they power rank the Illini's brutal non-conference schedule, including matchups against Texas Tech, Alabama, UConn, and Tennessee. Follow the Podcast: YouTube: Armchair Illini Website: ArmchairIllini.com Socials: Follow Armchair Illini on Facebook, Instagram, and X Follow Our Guest: Ant Wright: @itsAntWright on all social media Official Sponsors of Armchair Illini: Hamilton Walker's: The premier dining experience in Champaign-Urbana. We're giving away a $100 Hamilton Walker's gift card every home game! Follow Armchair Illini and Hamilton Walker's on social media to enter. Campus Ink: The official Illinois NIL store. Get gear from your favorite Illini stars. Use code ARMCHAIRILLINI for 15% off your order today!