Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Amani Hansberry

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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 09: Luke Goode #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the first half against the Jackson State Tigers at State Farm Center on November 09, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Luke Goode

By the time we get to the 2023-24 season, Luke Goode is going to be a junior. That is a crazy thought to me. He won’t just be a junior, though. This kid is going to be one of the best players on the Illinois basketball team.

Goode had a good freshman campaign that saw him dive around on the floor and make good plays. He didn’t get a ton of minutes, but Brad Underwood trusted him a little more each game. Goode was also big during the NCAA tournament. He was a great sparkplug for the team. I think his shooting is what will make him stand out from the pack. He hit 37.2% of his three-point shots in 2021-22. If that number stays the same or gets better, and his shots continue to increase, there is no way Goode makes it all four years without the NBA calling.

Backup: Sencire Harris

Illinois added some tremendous depth to the roster via the class of 2022. This class will go down as one of the best ever, and a piece of this class was Sencire Harris.

Harris was the best player coming out of the state of Ohio, so he knows basketball. He is also a winner, as his St. Vincent-St. Mary’s basketball team won back-to-back state titles. I love that Underwood was able to secure someone who knows how to get to the pinnacle of their league. I look for Harris to be a great option for the Orange and Blue as the primary backup to Goode. He should be able to light up the scoreboard.

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