Illinois Basketball: Projected 2015-16 Starting Lineup 1.0

Illinois basketball could be playing this final games of the 2014-15 season. If that’s the case, who should John Groce look to start for the 2015-16 season?

With the Illinois Fighting Illini on the outside looking in to the NCAA Tournament, many Illini fans are looking to the NIT or even worse…next season.

Illinois will lose four players this offseason, three due to graduation and one to transfer. Rayvonte Rice, Ahmad Starks, and Nnanna Egwu will all be graduating while Aaron Cosby already announced his decision to transfer away from the Illini.

Because of that, Coach Groce and company will have a few holes to fill before the 2015-16 season. The question is: Who will fit where?

Here’s our first look at what the Fighting Illini starting lineup could look like to begin next season:

Point Guard: Tracy Abrams

I said it when the injury happened. Tracy Abrams having to redshirt and sit out the 2014-15 season could be a blessing in disguise for the Fighting Illini. Abrams has the leadership that the Illini need on the floor at the point. He’s naturally a “better version” of Jaylon Tate. Tracy Abrams knows how to get the ball to his open shooters, but can also get to the rim and score. Abrams/Tate will serve Illinois better than Tate/Starks have this season.

Shooting Guard: Kendrick Nunn

Prior to the start of the 2014-15 season, I thought that Kendrick Nunn would be a starter for Groce’s Illini squad. However, that was not the case and Nunn rode the bench as the sixth man for Illinois until injuries took their toll on the team.

As a junior next season, Kendrick Nunn should be a starter for Illinois to begin the year. Nunn loves his corner three’s. Illini Nation should expect to see a driving Abrams kicking the ball to Nunn in the corner a few times next year.

Small Forward: Malcolm Hill

It might not have been the “perfect” senior season, but it’s fact that Rayvonte Rice will not be suiting up for the Illini in 2015-16. That means it’s time for Malcolm Hill to step up and become the next leader for the Fighting Illini. Hill has easily been one of the most improved players in the Big Ten this season. He’s improved his points by 10 per game, rebounds by 2.6 per game, and field goal percentage by 7%. Next year, Hill will need to improve again, but this time it will be improving his mental game into the role of a leader.

Power Forward: Darius Paul

Center: Michael Finke

The “biggest” hole for Coach Groce this upcoming offseason will be the departure of senior Nnanna Egwu. Who should take his place? Egwu’s a leader of the court and can block almost any shot put up by an opponent. Maverick Morgan will be the upperclassman at the center position, but it may be a wiser decision to start redshirt freshman Michael Finke for the 2015-16 season. There’s no hard stats for Illini fans to look because Finke redshirted the 2014-15 season. Although, based on what Illini fans have seen from Morgan as a replacement for Egwu, I’ll put my money on Finke.

Sixth Man: Jaylon Tate

Although the sixth man isn’t a starting position, there’s no doubt the Jaylon Tate will be that role for the Illini in 2015-16. Tate’s stepped up and improved this past season, taking the starting job away from senior Ahmad Starks. Tate/Starks haven’t been the best combination at the point because of their contrasting play styles. However, that should not be the place for Abrams/Tate in 2015-16. I expect Abrams to be a leader on the floor and a teacher to Jaylon Tate to help him have a good junior campaign and an even better senior one.

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