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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Kansas

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 14: Terrence Shannon Jr. #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the first half against the Monmouth Hawks at State Farm Center on November 14, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 14: Terrence Shannon Jr. #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the first half against the Monmouth Hawks at State Farm Center on November 14, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Feb 18, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Brad Underwood leaned on experience

On the Spain trip and during the first exhibition against Ottawa, Illinois had different starting lineups. The coaching staff wanted to switch things up and get players minutes.

Against Kansas, I think we got a better glimpse of what Brad Underwood is thinking for a starting lineup entering the 2023-24 campaign. It looks like he wants to lean on experience this season.

The starting rotation for the Illini included No. 1 Ty Rodgers, No. 2 Terrence Shannon Jr., No. 3 Marcus Domask, No. 4 Quincy Guerrier, and No. 5 Coleman Hawkins. For those keeping track at home, that is two graduate seniors in Domask and Guerrier, a fifth-year senior in Shannon, a regular senior in Hawkins, and a sophomore in Rodgers.

With a starting lineup average age of 22 years old, Underwood clearly wants to lean on the experience to help the Illini win games this season. And Illinois’ sixth-man on Sunday night, Justin Harmon, turned 22 yards old two months ago.

The starters and Harmon received at least 23 minutes of action apiece. I was a bit surprised Luke Goode didn’t see more time on the court, as he only received 10 minutes. He didn’t play well, though, going 0-of-2 and having two turnovers and two fouls.

I feel like there is a solid chance this is the rotation for Illinois moving forward. Underwood took this game as a regular season contest, and I would assume that he made lineup decisions based on what he would do in the regular season as well.

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