DEFENSE: Kylan Boswell Is SETTING THE STANDARD For Illini Basketball | Iowa Player Grades

Illinois went into Iowa City and passed one of its toughest road tests — and while there are a lot of new faces on this roster, it was a familiar face who set the tone.

In this episode, I break down Illinois’ win at Iowa through player grades, starting with a deep dive into Kylan Boswell’s captain-level performance and why his defense, leadership, and presence are shaping the identity of this team. We’ll also talk Keaton Wagler’s continued rise, Andrej Stojaković’s dominance, David Mirkovic’s all-around impact, and the ongoing questions surrounding the center rotation.

Plus, we zoom out and discuss Nathan Scheelhause’s rise in the NFL coaching world — why it matters for Illinois fans, and what it says about the program beyond wins and losses.

This episode isn’t just about a box score — it’s about standards, leadership, and what serious teams look like on the road.
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