The numbers don’t lie — Illinois basketball opens the 2025–26 season ranked No. 6 in KenPom, ahead of Duke, Gonzaga, and UCLA 😳

Sunny Verma breaks down what KenPom actually measures, why it’s trusted by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, and what it means for Brad Underwood’s team to start the year in elite company. 🏀 In this episode: What KenPom rankings really mean and how they’re calculated Why Illinois’ efficiency profile screams Final Four contender How Tomislav Ivišić, Kylan Boswell, and Andrej Stojaković raise the ceiling The importance of continuity and spacing in Brad Underwood’s system National comparisons: Illinois vs Purdue, UConn, Kentucky & Houston Updated AP Poll reaction — why Illinois fell just short of the Top 25 in football and what that says about national perception Sunny also rants about how programs like USC and Notre Dame get ranked on reputation, not results — despite Illinois beating USC head-to-head this year — and why Illini fans should keep fighting for respect. 🎙 Hosted by Sunny Verma — the voice of Locked On Illini, your daily home for Illinois basketball and football news. 

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Welcome to Locked On Illini, your one-stop show for all things Illinois Fighting Illini football and basketball! Join host Sunny Verma as he brings you in-depth analysis, game previews, post-game breakdowns, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and insiders. Whether you're a die-hard Illini fan or just looking to stay updated on the latest in college sports, this is the podcast for you. Tune in on YouTube and your favorite audio platforms for fresh episodes and all the insights you need to stay ahead of the game. Get ready to be Locked On Illini! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth coverage of Illini basketball and football! 

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For your next listen, check out the Locked On College Football podcast! From NIL deals to never ending conference realignment rumors, Spencer McLaughlin gets you ready for an exciting season on the gridiron! Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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