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Illinois Basketball: Starting lineup without Jeremiah Tilmon and Javon Pickett

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 4, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Two basketballs are stuck in the net during warmups before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Louisville Cardinals at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame won 77-70. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Two basketballs are stuck in the net during warmups before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Louisville Cardinals at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame won 77-70. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Kipper Nichols (2) shoots the ball as Michigan Wolverines guard Duncan Robinson (22) defends in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 Spot

Starter: Kipper Nichols

Kipper Nichols came into the Illinois basketball program as a big question mark. No one was 100-percent sure what exactly he would bring to the table because he hadn’t played college basketball.

After the first semester, Nichols had a chance to play and he was spectacular. He played so well that I think he is going to be our starter at the No. 3 spot.

Nichols can do a lot on the basketball court. He can play defense pretty well and he is dangerous on the offensive end. I can’t count how many times he would get the ball beyond the arc and the defense wouldn’t respect his shooting ability. He would then drain the three-pointer in their eye.

I think in Underwood’s run-and-gun offense, Nichols can thrive. He is super athletic and can do so many things on the basketball court. He should be fun to watch this season.

Backup: Aaron Jordan

One player that wasn’t used a lot by the previous regime was Aaron Jordan. He is a player who can shoot well but we haven’t had a chance to see him much lately.

Jordan came in as a decently high rated recruit, but this past season he rode the pine way too much. The previous regime didn’t play him and I think that stunted his growth as a basketball player.

This season should be different, though. Jordan should have a chance to shine and I think with Underwood’s offense, he will be freer to shoot the ball.

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