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Illinois Basketball: Minutes breakdown for Illini forwards

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 4, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts and breaks a clipboard against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 82-79. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts and breaks a clipboard against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 82-79. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-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 /

Kipper Nichols

The emergence of Kipper Nichols last season was refreshing. He couldn’t play until after the first semester but when he was finally eligible to play, he shined. This was all after he decided to transfer from Tulane.

Nichols’ first game that he received over 10 minutes was the Indiana contest. He shot off like a rocket and never slowed down. He ended up finishing the season averaging 13.6 minutes per game. He developed in the time he did receive and should be a key contributor this season. In the minutes he received last year, Nichols did pretty well. He averaged 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

One impressive stat that improved throughout the season was Nichols’ three-point shooting. He ended up shooting 44.4-percent from deep. If he can continue that production this upcoming season, Underwood will have a player who will be tough to match up against.

Look for Nichols to be used a lot this year under Underwood. His 13.6 minutes from last year should raise to around 22 minutes this upcoming season. There is a possibility Nichols ends up starting at the No. 4 spot for the Illini as well.

Underwood has a lot of tools to work with in 2017. Nichols will do wonders in his offense.

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