Illinois Basketball: Ideal Starting Lineup for the Illini
By Eric Bruce
The Illinois Basketball potential starting line-up for next year is about as clear as mud.
There has been much discussion about John Groce’s recruiting trail in the last few weeks, with some of the best stuff found on these pages here, here, and here.
But with all the excitement (and hand wringing) about 2017 and beyond, what do the Illini look like next year and how far can we go with a healthy team?
Answering those questions isn’t easy.
The status of multiple players is in question for reasons ranging from criminal proceedings (Kendrick Nunn, Jaylon Tate, and Leron Black) to 6th-year eligibility based on injuries (Mike Thorne Jr. and Tracy Abrams).
In this piece, I’ll explore the best case scenario.
The best case scenario obviously brings everyone back. This is the exact team that should have been on the court during the 2015-16 season, but they will older, bigger, stronger, and better. A do-over plus.
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Illinois will start four seniors, and one red-shirt sophomore. I am not accounting for the inevitable multi-game suspensions that will almost certainly greet Nunn and Black. But eventually, those two will be the starters after whatever suspensions they serve.
Abrams at the point. Unquestionably this position belongs to Abrams. The chances that he comes back after missing two full years to injury is about 100% according to most analysts.
This is great news for the Illini, a team that arguably could have advanced deeper in March had they a leader of his quality and character.
A number of fans will disagree that Abrams is a difference maker, but his stats before his injuries indicate otherwise. His junior year he averaged 10.7 ppg. and 3.2 apg. Compare that to the Tate at 3.6 and 3.0, and Khalid Lewis at 3.9 and 3.0.
Tate and Lewis took better care of the ball, but even in that area, Abrams was none too shabby.
Additionally, Abrams brings a pit bull mentality and leadership style that was sorely lacking last year. Abrams is an all out baller, and having him back will be a big deal.
Malcolm Hill at shooting guard. This is perhaps one of the most exciting players, of many, returning to the starting lineup.
Hill had an amazing junior year that saw him as second-team All-B1G, a Jerry West Award finalist and academic All-B1G. He averaged 18.1 ppg and shot almost 44 percent from the field.
Hill also averaged 35 minutes per game and, as Groce stated early in the season, he was the Illini’s butcher, baker, and candlestick maker.
Hill has two areas to improve this season. First, he could be a more vocal leader on the floor. We saw Hill emerge as a tepid floor general as the season progressed, but he needs to step it up in that department.
Second, Hill needs to develop a smoother cut to the basket. Sometimes he looks awkward driving with the ball.
Kendrick Nunn at shooting guard. Nunn averaged 15.5 ppg and shot 43 percent from the field.
Nunn seemed to lack energy and focus at times. Of course, he was a new father, and in light of the alleged off-court actions, perhaps his lack of enthusiasm at times makes sense in hindsight.
Assuming Nunn is able to put it all behind him and keep his focus next season, he will be a very special presence on the court.
If Nunn comes back, the question will be how many games he’ll miss due to suspension. Until that time, Illinois can count its very lucky stars to have Jalen Coleman-Lands.
Leron Black at forward. I have said it before, and will do so again now: Black is a star in the making. After recently pleading to a misdemeanor, he should be back. Assuming he is fully healthy, the only question will be when will he get to take the floor.
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Once Black does, I expect big things on offense and defense. Black, at 6’7, 220 lbs., brings an energy and aggressiveness to his game that is a very welcome presence. Black got in foul trouble frequently his freshman year but expect to see him humbled and under control once he returns.
Mike Thorne Jr. at center. This might be a long shot, but the importance of getting Thorne back is hard to overstate.
The concern at center is somewhat blunted by Morgan’s late season development, but Morgan is all the Illini have in the middle if Thorne doesn’t come back. And therein lies a big problem.
That means every time Morgan needs to be spelled, the Illini have to alter their offense away from having a center.
At any rate, Thorne’s presence is both literally and figuratively huge for the Illini next year.
Before his injury, Thorne was developing into a very consistent offensive threat and defensive rebounder. He averaged 12.9 ppg and 8.5 rebounds. His numbers at Charlotte his senior year were 10.1 and 7.3. So after only eight games at Illinois, he took a big step forward.
On a related note, it is incredible to me that fans still feed the tired and defeated meme that Groce can’t recruit big men because he can’t coach them up. It is false that Illinois isn’t capable of coaching big men.
Anyone who saw the development of Nnanna Egwu, the Illini’s all-time leading shot blocker, and all-around hustler, witnessed Morgan’s late season bloom, and Thorne’s early season leap knows that big men can and will thrive at Illinois.
And let’s face it, none of them were five-star, or even four-star, players coming out of high school, but they developed very well. In the hands of Groce’s staff, a top center recruit would absolutely soar.
Next: Needs and Wants for the Class of 2017
Hopefully, we get a chance to see that happen with Jeremiah Tilmon.
I hope Tilmon and other potential recruits ignore the silliness from the negative Nellies, who are currently offering an assist to Roy Williams and Bill Self, Groce’s primary competition for Tilmon’s service, and talk to Egwu, Morgan, or Thorne about how well they’ve been coached.
But I digress.
If Illinois puts this team on the court, with a very deep bench available for substantial relief, or even to capably fill in for multi-game injuries, it will be an amazing season. In my next piece, I’ll look at the worst case scenario.