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Illinois Basketball: Top recruiting needs for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

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 /
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Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) shoots the ball over 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 guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) shoots the ball over 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 /

No. 2 Guard (Current: 3, Need: 1)

There is a bit of confusion on who is going to play the No. 2 guard on this basketball team because there are a decent amount of guards who need playing time. I also think there are some that are still yet to commit as well that could have a shot at seeing minutes.

The player who had the most action at this position last season was Jalen Coleman-Lands. He has by far the most experience on the team in the traditional shooting guard role, but I don’t think it will be that this upcoming season.

I expect Underwood to go three guards on the floor at a time and that is why this isn’t a perfect representation of what the starting rotation will look like.

Behind Coleman-Lands there is Aaron Jordan. He didn’t see much action last season and it seemed like he was in John Groce’s doghouse an awful lot. I expect him to emerge as a decent player this season because I know he has the talent, and Underwood’s offense fits his abilities.

Illinois also has Da’Monte Williams coming in from the class of 2017. I would like for the Illini to build up the guard situation so he can redshirt his freshman season. He suffered a torn ACL at the end of 2016 and he could use some extra time to recover.

So that leaves the Illini with three guards at the No. 2 spot. I think they need one more before next season starts. That would give them four at the position and seven total between the No. 1 and No. 2 guard spots.

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