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Illinois Basketball: Starting lineup with the class of 2018

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 4, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) shoots the ball as Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) defends in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Forward

Starter: Leron Black

The leader of this team with his skills and emotions will be Leron Black in 2018. This guy has so much heart for the game and the Orange and Blue. He is going to be a special player by the time he leaves Champaign. He finished this past season averaging 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Expect that number to increase this year.

Black needs to develop a little bit under Underwood’s watch. He has a lot of talent that really wasn’t tapped into by the previous coaching regime. There wasn’t any discipline on the court with Black, so he was essentially a bull in a china shop. Underwood can hopefully, hone that aggression and skill to have him become an All-Big Ten caliber player. Watch for Black to also get on some of the NBA Draft big boards as well.

Backup: Tim Finke

The backup to Black in 2018 is the final class of 2018 recruit on the list. Black’s backup will be Tim Finke. No, this is not Michael Finke, the 6-foot-10 three-point shooter. This is his younger brother, the 6-foot-6 guard-forward who can shoot from anywhere on the court.

Finke would be coming into the Illinois basketball program as a four-star recruit ranked inside the top 100. He would be a huge get for Underwood and someone who would see a lot of minutes year one. He would help spell time for Black, but also expect him to be moved around as well. He could play the No. 3 spot at times in Underwood’s offense. Finke would give the coaching staff options on the rotations, which is something we haven’t seen in years.

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