STEP UP: Illinois Fighting Illini face FINAL FOUR pressure as Brad Underwood returns ELITE talent!

Illinois Fighting Illini gear up for another Final Four run—can they defy the odds without Keaton Wagler's magic? Brad Underwood returns three key starters, including David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic, but faces backcourt uncertainty after losing both Wagler and Kylan Boswell. Impact freshmen like Quentin Coleman and transfer Stefan Vaaks look to fill critical roles, while Mirkovic’s health remains a crucial storyline with the season approaching.Isaac Schade and Andy Patton break down Illinois’ roster retention, frontcourt depth, and whether Stojakovic can emerge as a Big Ten scoring leader. Key topics include non-conference showdowns against Duke, Texas Tech, and UConn, the importance of floor spacing, and X-factors that could determine if Illinois claims the Big Ten crown and a No. 1 seed. Is Illinois primed for back-to-back Final Four appearances, or will other contenders rise up?JOIN the Locked On College Basketball Everydayer Club!If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join the Locked On College Basketball community: https://lockedoncollegebasketball.supercast.com/Join the Locked On College Basketball Discord: https://discord.gg/bsKxDp8QqbFollow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-college-basketball/Locked On College Basketball TikTokLocked On College Basketball TwitterLocked On College Basketball InstagramAndy Patton TwitterIsaac Schade Twitter Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!KALSHIFor a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10.  SupplyHouseVisit https://SupplyHouse.com/TM to learn more about becoming a Trade Master.  Use promo code S H Five College for five percent off your first order.  SupplyHouse. Real people. Real service.IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.SquareGet up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/COLLEGE ! #squarepod LARINECOGive Larine a try. Right now, Larine Co is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://BUYLARINE.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE.  OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.5-Hour ENERGYBring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https:/5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon. GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelMake this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days.  Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM  FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.