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Illinois Basketball: 2017-18 lineup without Jalen Coleman-Lands

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; A view of game NCAA basketballs during practice the day before the East Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; A view of game NCAA basketballs during practice the day before the East Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Bryn Forbes (5) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Aaron Jordan (23) fight for loose ball during the 1st half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Bryn Forbes (5) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Aaron Jordan (23) fight for loose ball during the 1st half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Mark Smith

Another member of the class of 2017 that will make an impact in year one is Mark Smith. He was the biggest recruit Brad Underwood has landed in his short time being with the program.

Smith won the Illinois Mr. Basketball award this past season and will do wonders for the Illini. He is already a fan favorite after choosing Illinois over teams like Duke, Kentucky and Michigan State.

Expect Smith to be the starting No. 2 guard on the team this upcoming season. That doesn’t mean he won’t handle the ball, though. He and Lucas will both share the ball handling responsibilities coming up the court.

Backup: Aaron Jordan

There was so much speculation halfway through last season and when the season concluded that Aaron Jordan was going to be the first player to transfer. Well, that never happened and thank God it didn’t.

Jordan is still with the Illinois basketball program and will be needed this season. He still has a high upside and with Underwood as the head coach, expect him to blossom into a legit Big Ten player.

The previous coaching regime really stifled Jordan’s playing abilities. Watch for him to breakout of his cocoon this year.

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