Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn

By Rees Woodcock

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini draws a play in the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini draws a play in the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Grand Blanc forward Ty Rodgers (23) goes to the basket against Ann Arbor Huron forward Jack Den Houter (14) and guard Julian Lewis (5) during the second half of the MHSAA Division 1 boys state final at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Grand Blanc forward Ty Rodgers (23) goes to the basket against Ann Arbor Huron forward Jack Den Houter (14) and guard Julian Lewis (5) during the second half of the MHSAA Division 1 boys state final at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Saturday, April 10, 2021. /

No. 3 Guard

Starter: Ty Rodgers

Illinois has a wing player in Ty Rodgers who could start for just about any team in the country this upcoming season. He is only a true freshman, but this kid has incredible talent. He is one of the best freshmen we have had come through the program.

Rodgers isn’t going to start for the Orange and Blue in 2022-23 due to so much talent on the team, but he is going to be utilized as a primary backup. For the 2023-24 campaign, though, Rodgers should start at the No. 3 guard spot. He could play the No. 2 through No. 4 on the floor, though. But I think the No. 3 spot is perfect for this budding superstar.

Backup: Sencire Harris

Illinois’ class of 2022 has some special talent coming in. I don’t think we will see a ton of Sencire Harris this upcoming season, but he is going to play a huge role in the success of the program in the near future.

Harris is a great player who has done a lot of winning at the high school level. He honestly reminds me a lot of Luther Head. As time went on, Head developed his game and become a great college player. I see that with Harris. Year one will be about development, and I think by his sophomore year, Harris should be a primary backup dropping buckets at the No. 3 spot. The combination of him and Rodgers is going to be insane.

Home/Illinois Basketball