The Big Ten dropped its 2025-26 Preseason All-Big Ten First Team for basketball this week, and it has a few Illini fans (myself included) scratching our heads.
Let’s start with the obvious: ten players on a “First Team”? Come on. Even if it is a preseason list, that’s ridiculous. The conference decided not to release a second or third team, so instead, we got what’s essentially two teams slapped together and branded as the First Team. It’s lazy and confusing, as well as diluting the meaning of First Team All-Big Ten, while still not giving shine to lesser-known players on these teams.
Nevertheless, if you are going to have 10 players for the All-Big Ten First Team, not having any Illini on this list is absurd. This year’s team has a mix of key returners and high-profile transfers that should have Illinois in the Big Ten mix.
So, who should’ve been included from the Illini? Compelling arguments can be made for Kylan Boswell, the best-performing player in postseason play last year for the Illini and the clear leader of this year’s team. Tomislav Ivisic also deserves consideration, with a bounce-back year expected after illness/injuries derailed much of his 2024–25 campaign.
However, I think the biggest omission from this All-Big Ten Preseason Team for this year is Andrej Stojakovic. He’s the individual who I believe will be the best player on the Illini this upcoming year. The former Cal star averaged 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on a bad Golden Bears team. Now he’s joining a program that actually wins and where he won’t have to shoulder the entire offensive load. It’s not crazy to think his efficiency and overall impact could skyrocket in Champaign.
So if Andrej should be on this list… who shouldn’t?
There are some names you can’t really argue with: Braden Smith (the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year) and Trey Kaufman-Renn are, unfortunately, no-brainers. I’ll also give credit to John Blackwell, Donovan Dent, Bennett Stirtz, and Yaxel Lendeborg — all had strong seasons. Even Nick Martinelli and Bruce Thornton Sr. are reasonable picks, though neither led a tournament team.
But the two names that really make me pause? Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle.
Shelstad averaged 13.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 2.7 APG — solid, but not better than Stojakovic. Not even close. Bittle put up 14.2 and 7.6, which is fine, but the idea that both Ducks belong on a 10-man “first team” while Illinois gets blanked is just laughable. I’d take Stojakovic over Shelstad all day, and I’d argue Ivisic over Bittle, too.
And before anyone tries to defend the picks by claiming “positional balance,” that excuse doesn’t hold water either. The preseason list includes six guards, three forwards, and one center. Not exactly a picture of symmetry.
So what gives? Who actually made this list? Have they watched any Big Ten basketball recently? Because leaving Illinois completely off feels like either incompetence or an outright vendetta.
Fortunately, these are just preseason lists. By the end of the year, I’m betting multiple Illini will make the real All-Big Ten teams. My early predictions:
- Andrej Stojakovic — First or Second Team
- Tomislav Ivisic — Second or Third Team
- Kylan Boswell — Third Team or Honorable Mention
The Big Ten is loaded with talent this season, but don’t be surprised when Illinois players prove how wrong this preseason list really was.
