Illinois Basketball: Predicting the postseason awards for 2017-18
Most Outstanding Player
The Most Outstanding Player award tells you what it is in the name. This honor goes to the best player on the Illinois basketball team for the respective season. Obviously, Malcolm Hill won this award last season. He had a good year statistically but he also earned it for sticking with this program through trying times.
There will be a clean slate this year, though. Hill has now departed from the program, so there will be a new MOP this season. The MOP will not only be someone who is leading the team statistically, but they will also lead the team on and off the court in representation as well.
The three candidates I have for this award are Leron Black, Mark Smith and Te’Jon Lucas. I really like all three of these players but only one of them will come away with the MOP award.
Black should be one of the leaders on this team. He is one of the oldest players this season and he has an ability in the paint that hasn’t been seen too often in the Orange and Blue. Look for him to really take a step forward this season.
Smith is a newcomer to the team but he comes in with a ton of praise and accolades from the high school level. Winning the Illinois Mr. Basketball award is an impressive feat and now he gets to show his immense talent off with the Illini.
Lucas is the returning point guard for the Illini. He burst onto the scene last season and was one of the few bright spots for this program. I look for him to possibly be one of the leaders on the team this season.
Next: The turmoil in 2017 was well worth it
But, when I look at what the Illini have and what came in from 2017, I have to give the award of MOP to Mark Smith this season. Illinois needs to get over the hump of being a bubble team and missing the NCAA tournament. Smith will enable the program to do just that and he should be able to score at-will this year. I like his ability to get to the bucket when he needs to and draw a foul to get to free-throw line. This kid is special and he will show it this season.