Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Michael Finke added to House of ‘Paign

By Rees Woodcock

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) boxes out during the second half of the College Basketball Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 25, 2018, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) boxes out during the second half of the College Basketball Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 25, 2018, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is quickly approaching, and former Illinois basketball players are assembling a solid team.

From the inception of TBT, I have always wanted an Illinois team to get in. We have had some amazing players over the years, and having all of them come together would be fun to see. That time has finally come and the Illini have put a team together.

House of ‘Paign is the clever name of the Orange and Blue squad. The most recent addition to the team was Michael Finke on Friday afternoon.

Finke suited up for the Illini for three years and finished as a graduate transfer at Grand Canyon. He was a solid No. 4 who played as a No. 5 during his time with Illinois. For his career in Champaign, he ended up averaging 8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.


The addition of Finke gives the House of ‘Paign of some size. He joins a talented crew of the best players over the last decade. The other members of the team include Andres Feliz, Leron Black, Ravyonte Rice, Nnanna Egwu and Malcolm Hill. They will be coached by Mike LaTulip.

House of ‘Paign now has six players suiting up for them, but what combination would be the best to start?

I think Feliz has to be the starter at the No. 1 spot. I would then make Rice my No. 2 guard. Hill would be at the No. 3. Black would then fit in at the No. 4. The final piece would be Egwu at the No. 5. Finke would then come off the bench to give the Illini a mismatch against the other teams.

Next. Transfer TreSean Smith commits to the Illini. dark

This is going to be an interesting team to watch. They seem like they could be decent considering it is a collection of the best players Illinois has had during the John Groce era, plus Feliz. Come July, it wouldn’t shock me to see this team do some damage.

Home/Illinois Basketball