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Illinois Basketball: Illini Developing Same Construct as the 2005 Team

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 6, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce looks on from the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Mar 6, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce looks on from the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Nike basketballs on a rack before a game between the Boston College Eagles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Nike basketballs on a rack before a game between the Boston College Eagles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Point Guard

The leading point guard for the Illinois basketball team in 2005 was Dee Brown.

Brown was a superstar player for the Illini that helped lead the team to four straight NCAA tournament berths and the national championship in 2005.

It is hard to match any point guard to Brown because he was a 5-star according to recruiting sites and one of the best players in the country.

The construct of the point guard position could be similar, though.

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Groce recruited Te’Jon Lucas who will be the starting point guard for the Illini in 2017, if not sooner.  He is a quick, 6-foot, point guard who can dish the ball as well as shoot.

This is similar to the style of Brown.  He was also 6-foot tall and had the ability to distribute the rock as well as shoot.

Brown was quicker than Lucas, but there are similarities to size and game.

Groce also added in Trent Frazier to the mix as well.  He is a bigger point guard that can spell minutes in 2017 and beyond.

Frazier will give Lucas time to rest or they could even play together at times, much like the build of the 2005 team.

There are so many options at point guard and I can’t wait to see what Groce does with this team.

Next: Shooting Guard

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