From Illinois Fighting Illini On SI · · 1m 40s
Illinois Slotted as KenPom No. 4 for 2026-27
Illinois basketball ranks No. 4 in KenPom's 2026-27 preseason rankings, trailing Duke, Florida and Houston.
In brief
Illinois basketball ranks No. 4 in KenPom's 2026-27 preseason rankings, trailing Duke, Florida and Houston. Illinois is KenPom's No. 4 team heading into 2026-27, trailing Duke, Florida and Houston with a large gap to Houston. Originally reported by Illinois Fighting Illini On SI.
KenPom Releases 2026-27 Preseason Rankings
KenPom, the highly reputable college basketball metric used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee, released its 2026-27 preseason ratings on Sunday.
Illinois Lands KenPom No. 4
The Illini are slotted as the No. 4 team in the country heading into 2026-27, per KenPom.
Illinois Trails Top Three Teams
They trail No. 1 Duke, No. 2 Florida and No. 3 Houston. The margin between Illinois and Houston is fairly large.
Illinois the Only Big Ten in Top Five
Illinois is the only Big Ten team among KenPom's top five and one of just two, Michigan State is No. 7, in the top 15.
Illinois Defense Improving
Illinois is the only top-five team without a top-10 defense, with its defensive unit projected to improve to No. 22.
Illinois Offense Rebuilt
Illinois notably lost Keaton Wagler but reloaded with a more diverse offense, potentially matching last year's performance.
Illinois Defense Potential
If Illinois improves its defense, it could become a top-five team, potentially the national title favorite by March.
Illinois Coaching Strategy
Defensive coordinator Cam Crocker will ensure the Illini's defense clicks by March through communication and cohesion.
Illinois 2026-27 Outlook
Illinois is projected to be a top-five team in KenPom's 2026-27 rankings with a strong defense and improved offense.
The big picture
Illinois is KenPom's No. 4 team heading into 2026-27, trailing Duke, Florida and Houston with a large gap to Houston.
