The Illini welcome a handful of new faces to Champaign for the 2026-27 season. We grade each addition below. Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on before an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images For once during the Brad Underwood era at Illinois, the offseason has been characterized not by what the program lost but by what it retained. Transfer portal chaos can be exciting. New overseas additions are often a welcome sight. Incoming freshmen create an unparalleled sense of intrigue. But it's hard to beat retention – especially on the heels of a Final Four run. Still, despite the Illini's offseason quite literally being dubbed "The Retention," a handful of new contributors will indeed be joining the crew for next season.…