The AP Top 25 is out — and Illinois debuts at #17, its highest preseason ranking since 2021. But is that too high? Too low? Or just right?

Sunny Verma breaks down the Illini’s national standing, how the media sees Brad Underwood’s squad, and why advanced metrics like KenPom (#6) and Bart Torvik (#7) think Illinois might actually be a Top 10 team. 🏀 In this episode: Full AP Poll reaction + Big Ten team rankings Why Illinois’ roster has the highest ceiling — but still major question marks The NCAA clearance frustration surrounding Mihailo Petrovic The injury situation with Andrej Stojaković and its impact Illinois’ brutal upcoming schedule: Purdue, UConn, Texas Tech, UCLA, Alabama & more Evaluating the floor and ceiling for this year’s team Why the analytics trust Illinois more than the poll voters Sunny also gives a quick football update after Illinois fell out of the Top 25 following the Ohio State loss — and explains why being 5–2 with the 4th-hardest schedule means the Illini are still on track for a strong finish. 🎙 Hosted by Sunny Verma — your daily home for Illinois Fighting Illini basketball and football coverage. 

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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.