The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team has already been named as a preseason Final Four favorite among several media members with reasonable odds to secure the team's first ever national championship under coach Brad Underwood.

The Fighting Illini return a strong and diverse group of players including several All-Big Ten candidates with All-American potential. 

Freshman guard Quentin Coleman has garnered his fair share of limelight in recent days, but it's a holdover by the name of David Mirkovic who was given top billing in a recent ESPN season preview among players who could take a giant leap this fall and winter. 

Nikšić, Montenegro product David Mirkovic turned in an impactful freshman season with coach Underwood's team last season in Champaign as he became a go-to-guy on the Illini's Final Four squad alongside fellow freshman Keaton Wagler. 

Wagler is now with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers while Mirkovic is set to return for another run at a potential national championship. 

According to Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf of ESPN, Mirkovic has a good chance to compete for a spot on the 2026-27 All-America Team along with nine other players.

"Mirkovic returns with key players from last season's Final Four team determined to take the Illini all the way," Borzello and Medcalf wrote. 

"The 6-9 forward averaged 13.3 points, 8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and shot 38% from 3 -- and isn't expected to slow down." 

How Mirkovic fits in with new teammates including Stefan Vaaks and Coleman could determine whether he makes good on his immense promise. 

Coleman and Vaaks are set to provide new talents to the Fighting Illini that should combine well with Mirkovic's diverse skill set. 

Coleman is an athletic marvel with the handles and passing skills to become Underwood's starting point guard this season. 

At 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, the consensus is he must get stronger to reach his potential as a freshman, but similar things were said about Wagler last year. 

Vaaks heads to Illinois from the Providence Friars and looks like a natural fit alongside Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic as a guard/forward hybrid with deep shooting range and a quick, smooth, natural release.

Vaaks placed third on the Friars in scoring last season with just under 16 points per game and may see his averages drop this season.

If so, it would likely happen not because of a lack of skill but because of the scoring talents of his teammates.

Vaaks shot just over 40 percent from the field last season, an inefficient clip for a player of his height (6-foot-7) and considerable talents. 

Playing alongside the All-America candidate Mirkovic could be just what the doctor ordered, and a match made in heaven for a team that appears on the cusp of a national championship breakthrough.