Illinois Basketball: 5 big questions for the Illini against Oakland

5. Does Ty Rodgers get more comfortable at point guard?

Illinois entered the 2023-24 season with a different situation in the starting lineup. We don’t have one of those traditional point guards starting. In fact, Brad Underwood and the coaching staff kind of manufactured a point guard, and he is learning on the fly.

Last season, Ty Rodgers was more of a wing player who was athletic and could rebound well. This season, the Illini turned Rodgers into the starting point guard who brings the ball up the court and starts the offense.

This is an interesting experiment. Rodgers is a talented player, but it is tough to go from being an athletic wing to being a point guard. The transition can’t be easy, and game one proved it is a tough task.

A big question I have for Friday night against Oakland is; does Rodgers get more comfortable at point guard?

I wouldn’t say Rodgers had a bad game against the Panthers. He finished with six points, two rebounds, and one block on 3-of-6 shooting from the field. But as our point guard, Rodgers had zero assists, which is strange.

Time is going to be crucial in Rodgers’ development. We have to give him time, and the first two games of the season not being the toughest games in the world helps. But after Oakland, Illinois takes on No. 5 Marquette. We need Rodgers more up-to-speed for that game.

I am excited to see Rodgers continue to learn the point guard role. We need him moving forward. If he can keep the Illinois offense moving and starts seeing the floor better, this program is going to be in the top 10 in no time.