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Illinois Basketball: 5 burning questions for the Illini against Ottawa

By Rees Woodcock

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks down court during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.Purillini030523 Am6869
Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks down court during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.Purillini030523 Am6869 /
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Illinois basketball
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 09: Head Basketball Coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches a play during the second half of a Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Second Round game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The Penn State Nittany Lions won the game 79-76 over the Illinois Fighting Illini. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

5. How much does Brad Underwood trust freshmen

It is hard to read Brad Underwood. There are seasons when he trusts the freshmen who come into the program, but then there are seasons when he doesn’t trust the freshmen enough.

This will be something to watch on Friday night. Will Underwood trust the Illinois freshmen or will the seniors take all of the playing time?

Illinois has some impressive freshmen on the roster right now. I think the most impressive is Amani Hansberry. The 6-foot-8 big man was the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, and he looked great in Spain. I think he could get 10-15 minutes each game this season.

Niccolo Moretti has special talent at point guard too. He joined the program halfway through last season, so he knows the Underwood system. The playmaking ability of Moretti is impressive.

I also believe Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn has a special future ahead. With so much guard talent this season, Gibbs-Lawhorn might have to wait a year to really burst onto the scene.

Against Ottawa, I am going to be watching to see when the freshmen get playing time and how much Underwood trusts them on the court. These three freshmen are an important part of the future of the Illinois basketball program.

Next. Projected Illini lineup entering 2023-24 exhibition games. dark

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