No. 3 Guard/Forward
- Starter: Luke Goode (SR)
There won’t be a ton of super seniors on the team in 2024, but the oldest player will also be our best shooter. I have Luke Goode returning for one final season in Champaign. He will be a senior and should be looked at as one of the best players in the Big Ten.
Thanks to injury, Goode only played in 10 games for the Illini last season. I want to see what a full year looks like for this sharpshooter. He ended his sophomore campaign knocking down 42.1% of his three-point attempts. If Illinois can get that out of him every night, then there is a bright future ahead for the program. There is also a chance if Goode hits at that rate this upcoming year, he won’t be around for the 2024-25 campaign. For now, though, I have him starting at the No. 3 spot for the Illini.
- Backup: Jase Butler (FR)
The man of the hour is the next player I want to mention. Jase Butler has a ton of talent, and the recent Illinois commit will be looked to for minutes in year one. I have Butler coming into the Illini program and being the primary backup to Goode at the No. 3 spot.
Butler is a three-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 189 player in the class of 2024. He has a great shot and can play the No. 1 through No. 3 spots on the floor. Illinois has a ton of versatile players, and Butler just adds to those riches. I can’t wait to see what he can bring to the program in 2024.