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Illinois Basketball: Roles of the five returning Illini players

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: Kipper Nichols #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center on January 30, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: Kipper Nichols #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center on January 30, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Kipper Nichols
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Kipper Nichols /

2. Kipper Nichols

Out of the list of five players returning next season, Kipper Nichols might be one of the most important if not the most. He had a great sophomore campaign and that catapulted him into the conversation of one of the best players on the team.

During his introductory season, Nichols finished the year averaging 13.6 minutes per game and in that time dropped 4.9 points and pulled down 2.9 rebounds. This production wasn’t terrible considering this was his first real season on the team. But, what Nichols did last season really blew me away.

Nichols finished his sophomore season as the third leading scorer on the team averaging 10 points per game. He also managed to pull down 4.2 rebounds per game as well. This all happened in only 19 minutes on the floor. This type of production needs to at least be the same this upcoming season.

Illinois doesn’t have much in the way of size this upcoming season. There are so many scenarios I could see playing out including Nichols potentially starting at the No. 4 for the Illini. I know that sounds quite small, but they aren’t left with many options. They could go with an inexperienced big man there, but I don’t think that would benefit the team.

I would put Nichols at the No. 4 and have his athleticism be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Will we struggle at times in the paint? Sure, but that will happen with the big men we have on the roster too. Let’s put Nichols at the No. 4 and go from there. The worst case scenario is that Nichols lights up the scoreboard. He will be fun to watch in 2018.

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