5 big questions for the Illinois basketball team against Ole Miss

Illinois basketball is back in action after months off, but how will the Orange and Blue look in an exhibition game against Ole Miss?

Oct 3, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Illinois guard Kylan Boswell and Illinois guard/forward Ty Rodgers take a question at the podium during the 2024 Big Ten Menís Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images / Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images

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2. What role does Kasparas Jakucionis take for the Illini?

I mentioned how good Illinois’ class of 2024 was on paper. We finished with the No. 10 class in the country. Will Riley was a great get from this recruiting class, but so was Kasparas Jakucionis.

Jakucionis was a four-star recruit from Lithuania. He is a 6-foot-6, 205-pound do-it-all type of player. He was also ranked as the No. 36 player in the class of 2024.

Coming out of the class of 2024, Jakucionis is the third-highest-ranked recruit Illinois was able to land. But he is coming into the program with by far the most hype.

The legend of Jakucionis continues to grow by the day too. He hasn’t even suited up for the Orange and Blue, and the expectations are through the roof. Jakucionis is currently a top-20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, much like Riley.

I am excited to see what Jakucionis can do for the Illini. He is someone who isn’t just a one-tool player. He can do everything on the basketball court. That is why I am curious to see what role Jakucionis takes on the court for the Illinois basketball program.

Jakucionis is a great shooter and can hit shots at all levels, but the fact he is also a great ball distributor at 6-foot-6 is insane. This kid is going to be a monster for the Illini, and the role he takes in the Ole Miss exhibition will show me a little more about what Brad Underwood has in mind moving forward.

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