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Illinois freshmen prepare for impact this basketball season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 26, 2026, 2:47 PM

Last updated Aug 26, 2026

Basketball

Summary

Illinois basketball's six-man freshman class is poised to contribute significantly this season. With five players returning from last year's Final Four team and a highly-rated transfer guard, competition for playing time will be intense. Coach Tyler Underwood expressed optimism about their potential following summer workouts, particularly highlighting Quentin Coleman, who is expected to stand out due to his skills and competitiveness. Each freshman demonstrated strong backgrounds from high school and developed abilities that match the team's needs. Head coach Brad Underwood's staff is focused on integrating this group into a competitive lineup.

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By the Numbers

•Illinois has six incoming freshmen for the upcoming season.
•Quentin Coleman may see significant minutes on the court.
•Five key players return from last year's Final Four squad.
•Coaches are optimistic about the freshmen's skills and development.
•The team aims to balance playing time with established players.

Latest Updates

2:47 PMYahoo Sports — Good Morning, Illini Nation: Strong start for Illinois freshmen

What they're saying

"
Aug. 26—How much Illinois' six-man freshman class will play this coming season is a legitimate question. Five key players from last year's Final Four team plus one of the top transfer guards in the country will likely eat up the majority of the 200 available minutes each game. Quentin Coleman should get significant run. Expectations would have been high for the five-star guard based solely on ...
— Yahoo Sports

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