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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup for the 2023 NCAA tournament

By Rees Woodcock

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 21: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles by Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the XFinity Center on January 21, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 21: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles by Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the XFinity Center on January 21, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Mar 6, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Brandin Podziemski (0) holds the Big 10 Championship trophy as he leads teammates through the crowd on the floor of the State Farm Center after a 74-72 win over Iowa. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Brandin Podziemski (0) holds the Big 10 Championship trophy as he leads teammates through the crowd on the floor of the State Farm Center after a 74-72 win over Iowa. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Brandin Podziemksi (4-star)

We haven’t seen a ton of Brandin Podziemski this season, but the former Wisconsin Mr. Basketball will get his chance to shine in the 2022-23 campaign.

This season, Podziemski has played sparingly. He is averaging just 4.3 minutes per contest, and that is usually in garbage time. But you can tell Podziemski is going to be a good player. With so much experience on the team, this just isn’t his time right now. As a sophomore, though, Podziemski is going to shine. I have him starting at the No. 2 guard spot entering the 2023 NCAA tournament. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the court is great, but he has gotten bigger and stronger since coming to Illinois, which will enable him to take hits when driving in the lane. I think big things are to come for Podziemski.

Backup: Sencire Harris (4-star)

The 2022 class will be sensational for the Illini next season. The second member of this class to be on this list is Sencire Harris. He is entering the Illinois program as a four-star recruit who is the No. 98 player in the class of 2022. He is also the best player in the state of Ohio.

I don’t think Illinois has ever had this quality of depth on the roster. Harris brings an explosive presence to the backup No. 2 guard role. I believe he will be moved around the court at multiple positions as well. Look for Harris to get 8-13 minutes per game as a freshman. He should be a great reserve to have in the 2023 NCAA tournament.

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