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Illinois Basketball: 4 options to replace Jeremiah Tilmon

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 4, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts and breaks a clipboard against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 82-79. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts and breaks a clipboard against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 82-79. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) shoots the ball in front of Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) shoots the ball in front of Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Option 1: Status Quo

The current roster for the Illinois basketball team consists of one player over 6-foot-7 and that is Michael Finke who stands at 6-foot-10.

Illinois can continue to recruit, but let’s say they don’t snag another big man and they keep the entire roster the way it is right now. That would leave slim options at the No. 5 spot.

I would think the starting lineup would look something like Te’Jon Lucas at the No. 1, Jalen Coleman-Lands at the No. 2, Kipper Nichols at the No. 3, DJ Williams at the No. 4 and Leron Black at the No. 5 spot.

This would be the most effective lineup, in my opinion. They are all athletic and can move and shoot. This would also give Underwood the ability to have a run-and-gun offense that he is looking for.

Finke would then come off the bench if they needed more size in the paint. Black would move over to the No. 4 spot and this would be the Illinois big lineup.

I know it is not the prettiest of options but this is worst case scenario. If that is the worst they can get lineup wise then I am okay with the future of this program. Illinois can win and get to the NCAA tournament with the lineup.

Also, the Finke’s hair is pretty intimidating. Illinois should be okay purely based on that fact.

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