Illinois Basketball: Predicting the postseason awards for 2017-18

The Illinois basketball team has a lot of new faces this season. That means some of the award winners from last season have departed.

There are some talented players left over from last year’s bunch that I am excited to see play in new head coach Brad Underwood’s offense. Michael Finke should have his career rejuvenated as an athletic big man who can shoot the three but has put enough bulk on to bump around in the paint.

Leron Black is still trying to find the right temperament on the basketball court. He has a lot of energy and aggression that can be used for good. He started to find it toward the end of last season and should be pretty special this year.

The newcomers for the Illini are exciting as well. Trent Frazier has the opportunity to get some starts this year but most likely will be the best sixth man in the Big Ten and possibly the nation. He has some great playmaking ability.

I really like Mark Smith and Da’Monte Williams as well. Smith comes in with high expectations considering how highly rated he was his senior year. Williams comes in as an underrated player who has something to prove to the world.

This season should be pretty good for the Illini. Here are the preseason award predictions for the Illini.