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Illinois Basketball: Ranking the Top 5 guards of the 2010’s

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Malcolm Hill (21) reacts after dunking the ball against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at the United Center. Illinois defeats Brigham Young 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Malcolm Hill (21) reacts after dunking the ball against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at the United Center. Illinois defeats Brigham Young 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois Basketball
Mar 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; A view of basketballs getting stuck in the net during practice the day before the East Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Rayvonte Rice

There are some players in the history of the Illinois basketball program that are just blips on the radar. The emergence of Rayvonte Rice for the two seasons in Champaign was fun to watch.

The 2013 season brought Rice to the Illinois program after he spent two years with the Drake Bulldogs. In the two seasons with Drake, Rice played well enough to get noticed by big-time programs. He would eventually end up in Champaign and performed well while he was here.

Rice lands at the No. 4 spot because of his ability to score and the fact he ranks in the top five in points, rebounds and assists among guards since 2010.

The Illini loaded up on guard help before the 2013-14 campaign. They had enough talent on the team to make a run in the NCAA tournament. Despite the program falling short, Rice still flourished in the Orange and Blue.

Rice’s best season as a member of the Illini was 2014-15. He finished the year averaging 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. With leadership like this on the floor, the Illini should have had a better record, but some things are out of the control of players.

At the end of the day, Rice is one of the top five guards in the 2010’s. He had the ability to score at will and he could also rebound as well. He was a special player with circumstances outside of his control.

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