Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular

January 27, 2025

The Illini Men’s Basketball team has grabbed the headlines across the B1G by going into Mackey Arena, beating the #4 ranked Purdue Boilermakers and having Keaton Wagler set an all-time opponent scoring record in that legendary arena.

There are a ton of stories focusing on the basketball team and they’ve earned them with their on-the-court performance.

Heat Check #1 – A Season of Possibilities - Ranking the Best of the Past

As Illini fans, we’ve been treated to some incredibly exciting seasons. We have had the privilege to enjoy B1G titles and deep NCAA runs. So far, none of the seasons have featured a national title, but the journeys have created fantastic emotions and much enjoyment.

I took a few moments to rank the top 5 most enjoyable seasons from my perspective:

#5 – 2019-20 – The “What If” team, 21-10

Ayo and Kofi were never allowed to take a team that was peaking at the precisely correct moment into the NCAA tournament to see what they could accomplish due to COVID. We will never know how good they could have been.

#4 – 2023-24 – The Booty Ball team, 29-9

This team had an amazing season with Terrence Shannon Jr and Marcus Domask leading the way to the Illini’s latest resurgence to be a nationally relevant team.

#3 – 1983-84 – The Rupp Arena Robbery, finished 26-5

This Illini team was forced to play Kentucky at Rupp Arena to get to the Final Four (forced a rule change that exists to this day). Some ridiculous calls during the game’s last minute won the contest for the Wildcats and the Illini missed another shot at the title.

#2 – 2004-05 – The Dee & Deron show, 37-2

This team lost in the national title game & it might be the best team to not win the title. Or it might be the most beloved team to never win a title -except for one other team…

#1 – 1988-90 – Flyin’ Illini, 31-5

The Flyin' Illini lost in the Final Four – truly one more of the most exciting teams ever. And another Illini team that might be the best to have never won the title. Unfortunately, the Illini seem to have cornered this market.

My message is to enjoy this year’s journey. Savor the high moments. Enjoy the victories and accomplishments this team earns. There’s no guarantee of next season.

I don’t know where this year's Illini team is headed, but they have the three things you need to make for a dynamic team in the post season. The team:

• Is very talented
• Wants to win
• Is connected as a group & appear to enjoy playing together

You can’t ask for much more from a team. How far up the ladder will this team climb? I’m not sure, but it feels like Illini fans will enjoy the ride.

Don’t spend time worrying about tomorrow. Enjoy each game for what it is. The journey is important and it’s where most of the fun is.

Heat Check #2 – Keaton Wagler - Is He the Best Illini Frosh Ever

Keaton Wagler has been one of the most amazing finds in the last 25 years when it comes to recruits overachieving their high school ranking. Due to the fact he didn’t play for one of the shoe-company-sponsored teams, he was ranked 261^st in his class. Despite winning two state championships, he was still missed by local Big 12 teams like Kansas and Kansas State.

According to CJ Moore of the Athletic, Wagler is now projected to be a lottery pick. If he left Illinois and was drafted in the first round, he’d be only the 3^rd one-and-done 1^st rounder to rank outside the top 100 in his recruiting class. This is according to the Recruiting Services Consensus Index which started in 1998. That’s impressive.

When it comes to the best Illini freshmen of all time, there are several who Wagler is competing with to see where he will finish as a freshman star. Right now, he’s making the case to have the best freshman season in the history of Illini basketball.

Let’s start with the accomplishments of some of the best Illini big guys:

• Kofi Cockburn – 13.3 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocks per game
• Deon Thomas – 15.1 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game and 1.8 blocks per game
• Georgi Bezhanishvili – 12.5 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 0.8 blocks per game

Now let’s look at results of some of the best Illini guards:

• Kiwane Garris – 15.9 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game
• Cory Bradford – 15.4 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game and 1.9 assists per game
• Ayo Dosunmu – 13.8 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists per game
• Trent Frazier – 12.5 points per game, 1.8 rebounds per game and 3.1 assists per game
• Dee Brown – 12.0 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game and 5.0 assists per game
• Frank Williams – 11.4 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game and 4.1 assists per game
• Bruce Douglas - 9.4 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game and 5.9 assists per game
• Derek Harper - 8.3 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game and 5.4 assists per game

Let's not forget about the Illini's two one-and-done NBA Draft first rounders:

• Kasparas Jakucionis - 15.0 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 4.7 assists per game
• Will Riley - 12.6 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per game

Let’s review where Wagler’s stats are so far. He is on a pace to challenge the best of the best of Illini freshmen seasons – regardless of position. Let’s look at his stats:

• Keaton Wagler – 17.5 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game and 4.0 assists per game

What an amazing season Wagler is having. He may end up being the best Illini freshman ever, but don't focus solely on that. Take time to appreciate the individual games & enjoy his journey as the Illini freshman leads the team into the teeth of a tough back half of the B1G season.

It should be fun.