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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini vs Michigan State

By Rees Woodcock

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 29: Illinois Fighting Illini guard RJ Melendez #15 dunks in the first half against Northwestern Wildcats forward Robbie Beran #31 at Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 29, 2022 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

2. Any changes made to the lineup?

In that first matchup this season, Illinois was missing some serious talent. Kofi Cockburn didn’t suit up. He is a huge piece to this team.

But Illinois also didn’t have Andre Curbelo for this game either. Curbelo hasn’t played the best basketball in the world lately, but he has been a topic of discussion about whether or not Brad Underwood should change up his lineup.

A big question I have for the game on Saturday is will Underwood do anything with his starting lineup or is he going to continue with the status quo?

I think there are two options for Underwood when it comes to changing the starting lineup. The first option is the most obvious one right now. RJ Melendez is playing lights out and has helped the Illini so much over the past couple of weeks.

In my observations piece from the loss to Rutgers, I mentioned how big of a difference the production has been between Melendez and Jacob Grandison lately. Melendez has played 38 minutes in the past three games and has scored 32 points. Grandison has played 154 minutes in the past six games and scored 36 points. The experienced senior has played nearly 120 more minutes and has only scored four more points.

The easy lineup change would be Melendez replacing Grandison in the starting rotation. That should be done against Michigan State. If that doesn’t happen, it will be extremely disappointing.

Another change I want to see but it is iffy if it will happen is inserting Curbelo into the starting lineup. I will be the first to say that he hasn’t played well lately. Curbelo is just 3-of-9 from the field in the last two games and has had seven turnovers in that stretch.

But the reason I want Curbelo in the Illinois starting lineup is the fact the team runs better with him on the court. The Illini have a true point guard in Curbelo. If he could just turn his craziness into controlled chaos, then Illinois would have an All-American point guard on their hands.

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