Illinois Basketball: Predicting the postseason awards for 2017-18
Orange Krush 3-Point Shooting Award
This is an award that honors the highest three-point percentage on the Illinois basketball team. The winner has to average at least three three-point attempts per game, though. Only three players qualified for this award last season. Tracy Abrams ended up winning the award shooting 40.2-percent from deep.
The three players who qualified last season – Abrams, Jalen Coleman-Lands and Malcolm Hill – are no longer on the team. That means there will be a new three-point award winner this year.
Kipper Nichols was actually second on the team in three-point shooting last year but he didn’t take enough to qualify. Look for him to shoot more three-pointers this year in a more high-tempo style offense.
Michael Finke was the third best three-point shooter coming in at 41.1-percent from deep. He will likely shoot more this season and could potentially qualify for this award.
Mark Alstork took the most three-pointers in the exhibition against Eastern Illinois but he was only 1-of-5 from deep. He will likely qualify but his percentage will be too low. I think the winner this season could be someone who comes off the bench for the Illini most of the time. Nichols would be that player.
Nichols was one of the best three-point shooters on the team last year and he was 2-of-3 from deep against Eastern Illinois. Look for him to be a shot in the arm for the Illini. He can knock down the three-point shot and will come away with this award in 2017-18.