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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup entering 2023-24 exhibition games

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) dribbles the ball against Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) dribbles the ball against Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 16: Ty Rodgers #20 and Terrence Shannon Jr. #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Illinois Fighting Illini look dejected as they leave the courted after being defeated by Arkansas Razorbacks 73-63 in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 16, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

We are less than a month out from watching Illinois basketball take on Eastern Illinois in the first game of the season.

Before the Illini get to that game, there are some exhibition contests to play. These exhibition games are to help tune up the program, see what we have on the floor, and set our lineups.

Illinois has depth this season that we have not seen in a very long time if ever. I not only love what we have in the starting five, but the second rotation of players could probably hold their own in the Big Ten. This team is stacked from top to bottom.

Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup entering 2023-24 exhibition games

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Ty Rodgers (SO)

Heading into the exhibition season, I believe Illinois will roll with Ty Rodgers at the point. He isn’t a traditional point guard, but Rodgers can do everything you need a No. 1 guard to do on the court.

Rodgers ended his freshman season averaging 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. Some of his best games for the Illini were down the stretch. He had 14 points and seven rebounds in a double-overtime win over Michigan. He also had six points, four steals, three rebounds, one block, and one assist in the NCAA tournament game against Arkansas. I think this kid is ready for the spotlight.

Backup: Niccolo Moretti (FR)

If Rodgers doesn’t form into a solid point guard, then there are a couple of talented ball distributors waiting in the wings. Brad Underwood has done a great job building out the point guard position. I have Niccolo Moretti as the primary backup to Rodgers entering the exhibition season. Moretti knows the Underwood system, as he joined the program in the middle of last season. I also believe he is the best ball distributor on the team. His work in Spain was impressive this offseason.

Backup: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (FR)

The future of the Illinois basketball program is bright with a player like Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn on the bench. He has so much energy and drive on the court. I believe Gibbs-Lawhorn will likely enter the exhibition season as the No. 3 option at point guard for the Illini. The only reason he won’t see a ton of playing time this season is due to the experience Illinois has on the team. Gibbs-Lawhorn is a starting-caliber player who will get his shot next season.

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