Illinois basketball has gone through the craziest offseason that I could ever remember.
I thought the Illini offseason that followed the 2021-22 campaign was crazy. We lost six out of the top seven scorers that year and had to rebuild the team. But I would put this offseason even ahead of that craziness.
Now that the dust is starting to settle, and we finally see who is on the roster entering the 2023-24 campaign, it is time to project what the lineup will look like. There is so much talent on this roster, but only five starting jobs. It will be interesting to see what Brad Underwood does this season.
Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins returning
No. 1 Guard
Starter: Terrence Shannon Jr. (SR)
Does Illinois have a true point guard that has proved that he can be a starter yet? The answer is, no. But what we do have is a player who has the ability to play the No. 1 through No. 3 spots effectively. I love Terrence Shannon Jr. at the point guard position heading into the 2023-24 campaign.
Honestly, I look at Shannon as having the role of someone like James Harden. He can step back and knock down buckets from anywhere on the court, but over the past few seasons, Harden has developed into a solid distributor. I think that is what Shannon can be for the Illini this upcoming season. He was also second on the team with 2.8 assists per game last year. I like Shannon at the No. 1 guard spot with his ability to score and distribute.
Backup: Jeremiah Williams (JR) *waiver*
On Thursday, Illinois was able to land a solid player in Jeremiah Williams. He transferred from Temple to Iowa State after two seasons with the Owls. Williams would sit out last season after tearing his left Achilles tendon. He would transfer out of the Cyclones program and pick the Illini this week.
It is being reported by multiple outlets that Williams will need a waiver to be eligible this season since this would be his second transfer. If he does become eligible, I think he instantly becomes the primary backup to Shannon at the No. 1 guard spot. The last time Williams played, he averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. That would be fantastic coming off the bench.
Backup: Niccolo Moretti (FR)
Behind Shannon and Williams is likely to be a rotation of players, especially to begin the season. It wouldn’t shock me to see Sencire Harris or someone with experience be a backup at this position, but for the sake of this article, I am going to put Niccolo Moretti.
Moretti is a pure point guard who joined the program midway through last season. He didn’t see the court, but he at least knows the players and Underwood’s coaching style. Moretti gives Illinois some type of depth at a crucial position. I have him as the No. 3 backup to Shannon and Williams.
Backup: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (FR)
I think there is a legit chance that Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn comes into the Illinois program and takes a redshirt in year one. He is a solid four-star recruit, but with so much talent returning, the roster is kind of jam-packed. This would be a great opportunity for Gibbs-Lawhorn to come in and learn the speed of the game. Next season is when he can make a big impact on the program.
No. 2 Guard
Starter: Luke Goode (JR)
Illinois was not good at shooting the three-point shot last season, but the only player who was able to make them consistently was Luke Goode. He shot a team-high 42.1% from three-point range for the Illini. Too bad he only played in 10 games.
Goode is finally healthy and ready to be a starter for Illinois. Last season might have been completely different if he was able to play for the first 75% of the year. But now that we are getting him back, I think Goode should be starting at the No. 2 guard spot. He is our best shooter and his defense is pretty solid. Look for Goode to have a big year.
Backup: Sencire Harris (SO)
If Illinois didn’t have a ton of talent returning and a roster of riches, then I would have Sencire Harris starting. He is an extremely talented player who could have bolted after last season but decided to stay with the program for at least one more year.
I have Harris as the primary backup to Goode entering the 2023-24 campaign. He is our best defender on the team, and I think Harris’ offensive game is a bit underrated. He was actually fifth on the team in three-point shooting last season. Look for Harris to take a step forward and become a big part of the second rotation.
Backup: Marcus Domask (SR)
Illinois was able to bring in a lot of talent via the transfer portal. Some of that talent can shoot the ball well. I am excited to see what we can get out of Marcus Domask.
Domask averaged 16.7 points and shot 34.8% from three-point range for Southern Illinois last season. I have him coming off the bench behind Harris at the No. 2 guard spot. Domask can be a spark plug for the Illini in 2023-24. He has the ability to give us some big shots when we need it the most. Brad Underwood has built so much depth.
No. 3 Guard/Forward
Starter: Ty Rodgers (SO)
A player that a lot of Illinois fans were expecting to transfer out of the program was Ty Rodgers. There were rumors swirly, but Rodgers decided to stick with the program and it means the world to this team. I think Rodgers comes back and has a great season in Champaign.
I have Rodgers starting at the No. 3 spot in the Illinois lineup. He continued to improve throughout his freshman season, and in the final nine games of the 2022-23 campaign, he averaged 24.2 minutes per game off the bench. It is time to move him into the starting role and let him blossom. Rodgers has a chance to be the best player on the roster next season.
Backup: Justin Harmon (SR)
Another talented transfer Illinois was able to pull in this offseason is Justin Harmon. He is coming in after spending two successful years with Utah Valley. The Illini will be getting a talented scorer and someone who can do a little bit of everything on the court.
Harmon averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game last season with the Wolverines. I think he comes into the Illinois program and still puts up decent numbers as a primary backup at the No. 3 spot. Harmon can float around, though. I have him subbing in from the No. 2 or No. 3 spots. He will provide quality depth to the Illinois roster.
No. 4 Forward
Starter: Quincy Guerrier (SR)
One of the most underrated transfers Illinois was able to land this offseason has to be Quincy Guerrier. Not many people are talking about his addition to the program. He is a graduate transfer, so he will be eligible immediately.
After spending four seasons, two with Syracuse and two with Oregon, in the college game, Guerrier is looking to make one more run at a national title. He should come into the Illinois program and start at the No. 4 spot from day one. This past season with the Ducks, Guerrier averaged 9.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He also began to develop his three-point shot, taking 4.0 three-pointers per game and making them at a clip of 34.7%.
Backup: Amani Hansberry (FR)
Illinois is bringing in a couple of talented freshmen from the class of 2023. I already mentioned Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and how he should redshirt year one. The other freshman coming in is Amani Hansberry. He is a big-time player who was a four-star recruit.
Hansberry is coming off winning the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year award. He is a solid forward who can bang around in the paint. I see him getting solid minutes off the bench. His development this season as a reserve is going to be crucial in Illinois’ success in the following season. Hansberry is an important part of this program. He should be a primary backup at the No. 4 spot as a freshman in 2023-24.
No. 5 Forward/Center
Starter: Coleman Hawkins (SR)
Illinois fans received some amazing news this week, as Coleman Hawkins decided to pull his name out of the 2023 NBA Draft. Hawkins is returning to the Illini program for one more season, and most fans might have him starting at the No. 4 spot. Not me, though. I have him coming back and starting at the No. 5 spot.
I know some of you might want a traditional big man in this role, but I think Hawkins gives us the best chance to win by playing the No. 5. We don’t take a huge dip on defense, and Hawkins can stretch the floor with his shooting and athletic ability. He will give opposing teams nightmares. This would be the best option for Illinois.
Backup: Dain Dainja (JR)
I would imagine most people have Dain Dainja starting at the No. 5 spot. While this would have been the case if Hawkins departed for the NBA Draft, I think Dainja is best suited coming off the bench as the primary backup at the No. 5 spot.
Toward the end of the 2022-23 campaign, Dainja was starting to lose minutes. He averaged 20.6 minutes per game last season, but in the final nine games, that number dropped to 18.8 minutes per game. I think it would be best for him to be a solid reserve who could give the program 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds every night.