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Illinois Basketball: Projected 2024-25 Illini lineup after the Mikey Lewis miss

By Rees Woodcock

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)
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) /
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Illinois basketball
Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ty Rodgers (20) dribbles the ball against Arkansas Razorbacks guard Ricky Council IV (1) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 Guard/Forward

Starter: Ty Rodgers (JR)

For the 2023-24 campaign, Ty Rodgers is going to be starting at the No. 1 guard spot. He is going to be our point guard, at least to start the season. Rodgers is a lot leaner than last season, and he is quicker too. While he is going to suit up in the traditional point guard role for this upcoming campaign, I think he will move over to the No. 3 spot in 2024-25.

I have Rodgers starting at the No. 3 spot. With the departures from the program and Niccolo Moretti ready to take the reins at point guard, Rodgers would fit seamlessly back into the wing. He is a slasher to the basket by nature, so this role would be perfect for him. Rodgers has all of the athletic ability in the world, and he can be a shutdown defender. He is going to be a huge piece of this program during the 2024-25 campaign.

Backup: Sencire Harris (JR)

Illinois has multiple slashers on the team. I have Rodgers getting the starting nod at the No. 3 spot but backing him up should be someone like Sencire Harris. I have the junior as the primary backup to Rodgers in 2024-25.

Harris is a talented player who can do a little bit of everything on the court. His best attribute is his defense, but I also believe he is a capable shooter when given the chance. Illinois didn’t need him to shoot as a freshman, so it will be interesting to see how he develops this season. If Harris turns into more of a shooter this year, then this projected lineup could be adjusted to reflect him as a starter in 2024-25. For now, though, I have Harris as the primary backup to Rodgers.

Transfer #2

I mentioned this earlier, but my biggest worry about the 2024-25 squad is in the scoring department. Luke Goode is the only player I trust to hit a shot from the outside. That is why snagging another wing in the transfer portal would be a great idea. This player ideally would be able to shoot from outside. We don’t need someone extremely talented in other areas, but shooting is a must. That is how we should use the second transfer spot.

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