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Illinois Basketball: 5 Illini players poised to increase their scoring average

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 10, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) drives against Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Sam Griesel (5) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) drives against Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Sam Griesel (5) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 23: Ty Rodgers #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the second half in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center on February 23, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Ty Rodgers. Scouting Report. 2023-24 - 6.0 PPG. 2022-23 - 3.3 PPG. 2. player. 481. Pick Analysis

The obvious scoring production increase is going to come from Ty Rodgers. He didn’t get a ton of shine as a true freshman, but this season is big for the Thornton Township High School alum.

Rodgers played in 33 games and averaged 17.5 minutes per contest last season. He wasn’t looked to for scoring and was more of a rebounding and athletic freak for the Orange and Blue. There wasn’t a huge role for Rodgers as a freshman.

This season should be completely different. Rodgers is taking over the point guard duties full-time, and this is going to enable him to see more court time. It will also mean he has the ball in his hands more often.

I think Rodgers is going to increase most of his production across the board. I fully expect him to receive around 25 minutes each night, which means he has plenty of opportunities to score the basketball.

In the Kansas exhibition game, Rodgers finished with seven points in 24 minutes of action. Most of these points came around the rim, where he looked much improved from last season.

Rodgers will get to the rim a lot in 2023-24. He will see his 3.3 points per game from last season bumped up greatly this upcoming campaign. I fully expect Rodgers to average somewhere around 6.0 points per game as a sophomore. This kid is going to have a special year.

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