Brad Underwood has the Illinois basketball team looking pretty solid after a successful start to the transfer portal.
Through the first few weeks of the offseason, the Illini were struggling. We lost a couple of key players to the transfer portal, and no one was committing to play for the Orange and Blue next season. But, on Monday, Illinois received two huge transfer portal commitments.
These commitments fill some massive voids in the lineup. There is also the potential for a couple of players to return to the roster. I put together a projected lineup that included the players who are still, technically, on the Illinois roster as of right now. This is how the lineup could potentially look next season.
Here is the potential projected Illinois basketball lineup with recent transfer portal additions
No. 1 Guard
Starter: Terrence Shannon Jr
With nothing official with Terrence Shannon Jr. staying or declaring for the NBA Draft, I have to include him in this lineup projection. He is on the roster as of right now, so heading into next season, I think there is a strong chance that Shannon is our starting point guard.
I know that Shannon is more of a No. 2 guard, but with the way the Illinois roster is constructed, he would be best suited to bring the ball up the court. That is also how the Illini ended last season with Shannon as our point guard. He finished the 2022-23 campaign averaging 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest. I expect similar numbers out of him next season as well.
Backup: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn
I like Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn slotted in as the backup at the No. 1 guard spot. While Gibbs-Lawhorn is more of a No. 2 guard, he can do everything on the court including distributing the ball. He is a playmaker in its truest form.
Gibbs-Lawhorn is coming in from the class of 2023 as a four-star recruit. He was once committed to Purdue, but Illinois was able to pluck him away from West Lafayette. I expect Gibbs-Lawhorn to get 10-15 minutes per game at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots this upcoming season.
Backup: Niccolo Moretti
Most people are going to be elevating Niccolo Moretti into a more prominent role on the Illinois basketball team, but for me, I am going to slot him in as the second backup at the No. 1 spot.
Illinois was able to land Moretti this past season for the class of 2023, and he enrolled early into the program. But there wasn’t a lot of recruiting attention around this kid. Most of his offers were from mid-major programs. That makes me a little nervous. I think it would be best to ease him into playing time.
No. 2 Guard
Starter: Justin Harmon
On Monday, Illinois was able to land two impactful players from the transfer portal. One of those players was guard, Justin Harmon. With the way the roster is constructed, I have Harmon starting at the No. 2 guard spot for the Illini.
The backcourt for Illinois could be comprised of two bulldogs this upcoming season. Terrence Shannon Jr. is a monster going to the rim, and he averaged 17.2 points per game in 2022-23. Harmon would then be his running mate, and he is a similar style player to Shannon. Harmon also averaged 14 points per game with Utah Valley last season. Two big scoring threats who can hit shots from deep and get to the rim. That makes Illinois dangerous.
Backup: Sencire Harris
I believe Sencire Harris is going to be a huge piece for the Illinois basketball program this upcoming season. While I have him coming off the bench at the No. 2 guard spot, I think he still gets nearly 20 minutes per contest.
Harris is going to be a sparkplug on defense. When opposing offenses start to get going, Brad Underwood can sub-in Harris and shut them down. I am also excited to see Harris’ development this offseason. If he works on his shooting, then there is no telling the heights this kid can reach. It wouldn’t shock me to see him get a lot of starts next season as well.
No. 3 Guard
Starter: Luke Goode
I would imagine most people have a transfer starting in this position, but with Luke Goode returning, I don’t see how you can’t start him for the 2023-24 campaign. This kid has been with the program and remains with the program through thick and thin. Not to mention, he is our best shooter.
Goode finally started to get going last season after dealing with some injury problems. He only played in 10 games, but he was instantly Illinois’ best shooter. He would knock down 42.1% of his three-pointers, which was nearly 10% better than our No. 2. I love what he brings to the table when it comes to shooting and hustle. I think Goode has earned the starting job at the No. 3 spot.
Backup: Marcus Domask
Illinois’ second big transfer portal addition is Marcus Domask. When he first committed, I thought he was a lock to be a starter for the Illini. But with the potential of some players returning, look for Domask to be a primary backup at the No. 3 spot.
I think Domask is going to get a lot of playing time, though. I expect at least 20 minutes per game out of him. Domask would be a great sparkplug for the Illini. He could come off the bench and bring the energy necessary for Illinois to not lose anything when the starters need rest. I think he has a chance to average 8-10 points per game as well. He was a huge addition for the Illinois basketball program.
No. 4 Forward
Starter: Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins wanted to see what Illinois did this offseason when it came to the transfer portal. He wanted to see if this program could be a contender once again. I think with the two additions on Monday, Illinois can contend. So, with Hawkins not hiring an agent and keeping college eligibility, I have him still on the roster for this optimal lineup.
Hawkins would return and be the starter at the No. 4 spot on the team. He is going to be one of the main focuses for the Orange and Blue next season. Hawkins averaged 9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 2022-23. Look for those numbers to remain solid and for Hawkins to get more efficient. I expect improved three-point shooting and smarter play with the ball.
Backup: Ty Rodgers
There is a lot of smoke when it comes to Ty Rodgers and the transfer portal right now. At the end of the day, Rodgers might end up transferring, but as of right now, he is still on the roster.
Entering the 2023-24 campaign, I have Rodgers as a big-time contributor for the Illini. He should be one of the first players off the bench. Rodgers would get roughly 20 minutes per game as well. This would be enough time for him to make a huge impact. With the way he ended last season, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Rodgers move up and start games this upcoming campaign. If he comes back, look for Rodgers’ numbers of 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists to improve greatly.
No. 5 Center
Starter: Dain Dainja
This has been a crazy offseason for the Illinois basketball program. So many moving pieces right now, but the first player to announce that he was returning to the team was Dain Dainja. For the upcoming season, I see Dainja starting at the No. 5 spot.
For his first full season of playing college basketball, I was impressed with Dainja’s ability. He would average 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per contest. I think his touch around the hoop is extremely impressive as well. There are some things he needs to work on, though. Dainja needs to not be so flatfooted on defense, and his free throw shooting needs improvement. Those things can be worked on this offseason.
Backup: Amani Hansberry
Illinois doesn’t have much in the way of a traditional big man to back up Dainja next season. Honestly, I think the best option might be incoming freshman, Amani Hansberry.
Hansberry is a rising freshman. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 56 player in the class of 2023. At 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, Hansberry is built like a brick you-know-what. That is why I am comfortable with him being the primary backup at the No. 5 spot. His normal position is at power forward, but I think Hansberry could hold his own in the paint. Look for him to get minutes in multiple roles as a freshman. This kid is a big-time player.