Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini roster with two scholarships remaining

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Kipper Nichols (2) boxes out Purdue Boilermakers forward Matt Haarms (32) after Purdue Boilermakers guard Nojel Eastern (20) shoots a free throw during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 4 Forward

Starter: Kipper Nichols

The departure of Leron Black at the No. 4 spot killed this Illini team. They needed him to come back so they didn’t have to worry nearly as much about the paint as they do now. But, he decided to head to the NBA and now the Illini are looking for answers. I think Kipper Nichols would be the best option at the No. 4.

I know having Nichols as the No. 4 means Illinois would be extremely small. That is okay, though. If they can’t stop some big men in the paint with what they have why not just throw more offense at the opposing defense? I think Nichols would bring an athletic body that can score to the table for the Illini. He averaged 10 points and 4.2 rebounds last season for Illinois. I would hope he can replicate or even improve those numbers as a starter next season.

Backup: Michael Finke

As of right now, I have the backup at the No. 4 spot being Michael Finke. Illinois added another big to the mix in the class of 2018, so this enables Finke to move back over to the No. 4 spot where he can spread the floor.

Finke was fourth on the team in scoring last season. He averaged 25 minutes, 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. I could see him being a solid backup for the Illini next year. He has solid shooting ability and would be a nice rotation player.

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