Writing Illini
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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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Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) shoots the ball against the Providence Friars during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) shoots the ball against the Providence Friars during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Center

The final piece to the puzzle for the 2005 Illinois basketball team was the center position.

This position was one of the best for the Illini and it was led by 6-foot-10 James Augustine.

Augustine was a special player.  He had great athletic ability and he could shoot the ball pretty well for how big he was.

If it wasn’t for some cheap fouls in the national championship that caused Augustine to ride the pine for a while then I think Illinois would have won the game.

But, even though Illinois went small most of the time they always had a big at the center position.

This is where Jeremiah Tilmon comes into play.

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Tilmon is a 6-foot-10 big man that is coming in from the class of 2017.  He is going to be a special player for the Illinois basketball team.

The great part about Tilmon’s game is that he can shoot and rebound pretty well.  He has the ability to be a big impact player year one for the Illini.

Tilmon will be the center of the Illinois team in 2017 and beyond.  I can’t wait to see what he can do on the basketball court.

Behind Tilmon, I think Michael Finke could spell some minutes.   He isn’t as polished on the defensive end of the court but if he comes in for Tilmon on occasions he can cause mismatches.

Finke is a solid option behind Tilmon, just like Jack Ingram was a solid option behind Augustine.  They both have slightly different games but both were and will be needed for the Illini.

Am I saying the upcoming Illini teams will be as good as the 2005 team that made the national championship?

No, that is not what I am saying.  I am saying I think Groce could possibly be constructing the current and future teams the same way they were put together over a decade ago.

Next: 3 Reasons Mayan Kiir Should Choose Illini Over VCU

The future is extremely right for the Illini and, hopefully, wins are soon to follow.

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