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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4. Where does Ty Rodgers end up playing?

A few years ago, Illinois was able to land Thornton Township star Ty Rodgers. He was a utility player who could rebound well and score around the hoop.

Rodgers’ time at Illinois has been a bit weird. He isn’t a big-time scorer by any means, but at 6-foot-6, he might be the best rebounder on the team.

Brad Underwood has used Rodgers as the utility player he was at the high school level. He went from being underneath the basket in year one to now being a point guard for the Illini. This transition hasn’t been easy, as the point guard role isn’t natural for Rodgers.

With a talent influx, I am curious about how Underwood now uses Rodgers on the floor. I don’t think he is going to be benched, but I am not sure where Rodgers fits in on the court.

Kylan Boswell is going to command the backcourt, and I think Kasparas Jakucionis is going to get a lot of play in that same backcourt. It has me wondering where Rodgers is going to play in this Illinois lineup.

I think Rodgers still stays in the backcourt, but there will end up being a timeshare. But that is complete speculation. Underwood will likely show some of his cards on Sunday against Ole Miss.

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