The Cincinnati Bearcats will get another opportunity to test themselves against high-level competition when they face the Illinois Fighting Illini in Saturday’s basketball exhibition.

Illinois enters the season with expectations of its own after reaching the 2026 Final Four. Head coach Brad Underwood returns several important contributors while adding new pieces to a roster that many expect to compete for a Big Ten title. The Illini also opened the year among the nation’s top teams in preseason polls.

For Cincinnati, the exhibition offers an opportunity to build on its performance against Ohio State while continuing to establish its identity under head coach Jerrod Calhoun.

The Bearcats showed flashes of an aggressive offensive attack in their comeback against the Buckeyes, using their size and ability to get downhill to generate scoring opportunities. Now, they face an Illinois team that presents a different challenge with its versatile frontcourt, perimeter shooting, and ability to create mismatches across the floor.

Here is what to watch as Cincinnati prepares for Illinois.

Illinois Brings a Different Look to the Floor

Illinois returns five important rotation players from last season’s Final Four team, including David Mirković, Andrej Stojaković, and the Ivišić twins. However, the departures of primary ball-handlers Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell will force the Illini to adjust how they operate offensively.

Rather than relying as heavily on traditional pick-and-roll actions and a slower half-court approach, Illinois has the personnel to spread the floor, push the pace, and create advantages through its size and versatility.

Mirković should become a central figure in that transition. At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, he brings a combination of strength, shooting, ball-handling and passing that allows Illinois to use him in several different roles. He can attack smaller defenders, draw bigger players away from the basket, or help initiate the offense after securing a rebound.

That versatility could make Illinois difficult to defend. The Illini can place multiple shooters around Mirković, force opposing big men to defend away from the basket, and create driving lanes for their wings. If defenses collapse into the paint, Illinois has players capable of punishing them from the perimeter.

The addition of Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks should give the backcourt another scoring option. Vaaks averaged 15.6 points per game as a freshman and now gets an opportunity to build on that production with a team carrying major expectations.

Illinois also has plenty of size up front. Tomislav Ivišić can stretch the floor with his outside shooting, while Stojaković gives the Illini another downhill scorer who can attack the basket and take advantage of defensive rotations.

The combination of shooting, size, and ball-handling versatility gives Underwood several ways to attack opposing defenses. Cincinnati will need to communicate, close out under control, and avoid allowing Illinois to dictate the matchup on every possession.

Projected Starting Lineup: Illinois

Guard — Quentin Coleman #11

I project Quentin Coleman to take on the lead guard role for Illinois. The Illini have enough versatility in the backcourt to avoid relying on one traditional point guard, and Coleman could help facilitate the offense while creating scoring opportunities of his own.

His ability to contribute as both a playmaker and scorer makes him an intriguing freshman to watch. Saturday’s exhibition should offer an early look at how he handles those responsibilities against experienced competition.

Guard — Stefan Vaaks #7

Vaaks gives Illinois another perimeter threat after averaging 15.6 points per game during his freshman season. With a year of college basketball behind him, he has an opportunity to take another step forward in a system that should provide plenty of scoring opportunities.

His shooting and ability to create offense could make him an important piece of the Illini backcourt. If he builds on his freshman production, Vaaks could put himself in the conversation for postseason recognition and attract additional NBA Draft attention.

Small Forward — Andrej Stojaković #2

Stojaković gives Illinois a versatile wing who can score around the basket and attack defenders off the dribble. He averaged 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assist across 34 appearances last season while shooting 50% from the field.

His ability to get downhill should complement Illinois’ perimeter shooting. Stojaković can pressure the defense when opponents focus on the team’s outside threats, and his size gives the Illini another option when attacking mismatches.

Forward — David Mirković #0

Mirković could be the player who makes Illinois’ offensive system work. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game as a freshman while shooting 37.5% from three-point range. His performance earned him Big Ten All-Freshman honors.

Mirković can score in the post, knock down outside shots, and create opportunities for teammates. He also has the size to compete on the glass and the ball-handling ability to push the offense in transition.

His versatility could create problems for Cincinnati. If the Bearcats defend him with a smaller player, he can attack inside. If they send a bigger defender his way, he can pull that player away from the basket and create space for Illinois’ guards.

Center — Tomislav Ivišić #13

Tomislav Ivišić gives Illinois a skilled 7-foot-1 presence who can operate both inside and outside. He averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game last season while making 50 three-pointers.

His shooting makes him especially dangerous in pick-and-pop situations, where he can draw a rim protector away from the paint. He can also use his size around the basket and contribute as a passer when defenses send extra help.

For Cincinnati, keeping Ivišić away from comfortable shooting spots while still protecting the rim will be an important defensive challenge.

What We Learned Against Ohio State

Cincinnati enters Saturday’s matchup with some encouraging takeaways from its exhibition against Ohio State. The Bearcats showed they could generate offense by attacking the basket, lean on multiple guards, and use defensive pressure to change the momentum of a game.

Those qualities will matter against Illinois, particularly when the Bearcats try to keep the Illini from settling into their half-court offense.

The Bearcats Want to Attack the Rim

Cincinnati showed a clear preference for getting downhill against Ohio State. Despite difficult outdoor conditions that affected perimeter shooting, the Bearcats continued to attack the lane and create opportunities near the basket.

They recorded 34 shots in the lane, including 22 attempts directly at the rim. That approach helped Cincinnati establish a physical presence offensively rather than depending entirely on outside shooting.

The Bearcats also attempted 32 free throws, showing how consistently they put pressure on the Buckeyes’ defense.

That same mentality could serve Cincinnati well against Illinois. The Illini have plenty of size in the frontcourt, but the Bearcats can test their interior defense by attacking gaps, forcing rotations, and looking for opportunities before the defense gets set.

Tylen Riley Leads a Versatile Backcourt

Tylen Riley made a strong impression against Ohio State, finishing with a game-high 23 points. Even more encouraging, he scored 18 of those points in the second half, demonstrating his ability to take over offensively when Cincinnati needed a spark.

Tyler Tejada also contributed 17 points, giving the Bearcats another scoring threat who can help shoulder the offensive workload. Elijah Perryman adds another option at point guard and gives Calhoun additional flexibility in the backcourt.

That group gives Cincinnati several players capable of creating their own shots or generating offense when the initial play breaks down.

For my projected starting lineup against Illinois, I have Riley and Trevian Carson in the backcourt alongside Myles Colvin. Tejada would start at forward, with Jayden Hastings anchoring the middle.

Cincinnati started Elijah Perryman, Carson, Colvin, Tejada, and Hastings against Ohio State, so the lineup could change. However, I would like to see what Riley brings to the starting group after his second half performance.

Jayden Hastings Anchors the Frontcourt

Hastings provided an efficient scoring presence against Ohio State, recording 16 points and 6 rebounds in just 21 minutes.

His production gives Cincinnati an important interior option, particularly against an Illinois frontcourt that can stretch the floor while still bringing considerable size to the paint.

Hastings will need to be active on the glass, establish good defensive positioning, and make Illinois work for its interior touches. He also has a role to play when opposing guards get past their initial defenders.

Cincinnati held Ohio State to 32 points in the paint while scoring 48 of its own. The Bearcats also won the rebounding battle 45-35.

Those numbers highlight the impact Cincinnati can make when it controls the interior. Illinois will present a different challenge, but the Bearcats will want to carry that physical approach into Saturday’s matchup.

Defensive Pressure Could Shape the Game

Calhoun wants Cincinnati to make opponents uncomfortable for all 40 minutes. The Bearcats aim to pressure the ball, disrupt offensive rhythm, force turnovers and turn defensive stops into transition opportunities.

That approach did not come together immediately against Ohio State. Cincinnati struggled to stay connected defensively in the first half and spent much of the early game chasing the Buckeyes.

The Bearcats responded after halftime, however, and put together a 49-33 second half to turn the game around. Their increased pressure helped disrupt Ohio State’s offense, and a late 30-12 run fueled the comeback.

Cincinnati showed how quickly its defensive intensity can change a game when the players work together and apply pressure across the floor.

Illinois will test that approach with a roster full of versatile players who can handle the ball, pass out of pressure, and exploit defensive rotations. The Bearcats cannot afford to gamble carelessly or allow the Illini to turn a press break into an easy scoring opportunity.

Instead, Cincinnati must pressure the ball with a purpose, communicate through screens, and recover quickly when Illinois moves the ball to the perimeter.

Hastings and the other interior defenders will also need to protect the basket without giving up open three-pointers. Illinois has the personnel to punish defenses that send too much help toward the paint, making defensive discipline especially important.

If Cincinnati can force turnovers without sacrificing its defensive positioning, the Bearcats could create the kind of transition opportunities that suit their aggressive style.

What to Watch on Saturday

The matchup offers an early look at how Cincinnati’s identity holds up against a team with the size and versatility of Illinois.

For the Bearcats, the priorities are straightforward: attack the rim, compete on the glass, apply consistent ball pressure, and take advantage of transition opportunities. Cincinnati showed against Ohio State that it can create offense through physicality and use defensive intensity to swing momentum.

Illinois presents a different test. Mirković’s versatility, Vaaks’ scoring ability, and Ivišić’s perimeter shooting give the Illini multiple ways to attack. Cincinnati will need to defend without losing track of shooters or allowing Illinois to dictate mismatches.

If David Mirković is unable to play, Illinois will need to find other ways to create offense and make up for his versatility. His ability to handle the ball, stretch the floor, and create opportunities for his teammates makes him a valuable piece of the Illini’s system. Without him, expect Brad Underwood to lean more heavily on Andrej Stojaković as a scorer while giving the Ivišić twins a bigger role in the frontcourt. Illinois could also look to Stefan Vaaks to shoulder more of the scoring load and help generate offense from the perimeter. Losing Mirković would take away a major matchup advantage, but the Illini still have enough talent and depth to adjust their approach and spread the offensive responsibility around.

The Bearcats should also look to build on the production they received from Riley and Tejada against Ohio State. Their ability to generate offense alongside Carson, Colvin and Perryman could be important against an Illinois team with plenty of options of its own.

Ultimately, Saturday is an opportunity for both teams to evaluate their progress before the regular season begins. The exhibition result will not determine either team’s season, but the matchup should provide useful insight into how Cincinnati’s new system performs against an opponent with Final Four experience and significant expectations.

For the Bearcats, the goal is to continue establishing their identity, sharpen their defensive pressure, and prove they can compete physically with one of the nation’s most talented teams.

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