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Illinois Basketball: 3 things to watch for in the Illini exhibition against Quincy

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches his team from the sidelines in the game against the Jackson State Tigers at State Farm Center on November 09, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches his team from the sidelines in the game against the Jackson State Tigers at State Farm Center on November 09, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Mar 20, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard RJ Melendez (15) dribbles the ball past Houston Cougars guard Kyler Edwards (11) in the first half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard RJ Melendez (15) dribbles the ball past Houston Cougars guard Kyler Edwards (11) in the first half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Who is in the starting rotation

While Illinois searches for “that guy” in the coming weeks, there is also the big question of who is going to be our starters in the game against Quincy and moving forward.

I posted my projected starting lineup for the Illini earlier this week. The players I have starting in the game against Quincy are No. 1 Skyy Clark, No. 2 Terrence Shannon Jr., No. 3 RJ Melendez, No. 4 Matthew Mayer, and No. 5 Coleman Hawkins.

Throughout much of the offseason, when a player would transfer in or out of the program, I would do a new projected Illini lineup. Each time, I had Hawkins starting at the No. 5 and some people would disagree with me having him in that role. I am curious to see what Brad Underwood does at this position and who starts against Quincy.

I think Hawkins is going to start. There is no way Mayer and Shannon transfer in to ride the pine. I also believe there is no way Clark comes into the program – ranked in the top 40 nationally – and doesn’t start at point guard. Illinois needs a ball handler, and that is what Clark brings to the table.

That would leave just one player who is up in the air, and that is Melendez. Do you bring a player who looked fantastic at the end of 2021-22, and who is a projected NBA Draft pick in 2023, off the bench? I have a hard time seeing that happening.

All of Illinois’ bench is extremely young and inexperienced as well. For me, I think it is clear the starting lineup I have above is going to be the starting lineup against Quincy. But I am curious if Underwood feels the same.

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