Illinois basketball is coming down the home stretch of the 2024-25 season, and it seems like we are more disjointed than we were to start the year.
The Illini got off to a great start this season. We had, essentially, a new roster that had to come together and gel quickly. That ended up happening, as many pundits thought we were one of the top teams in the country.
In the past month or so, Illinois has dealt with injury and illness. These speedbumps have sent the program into a bit of a tailspin, and now we sit at 17-10 overall and need to win some games to finish out the season.
With only four games left of the 2024-25 regular season, I think it would be ideal to shake up the lineup and see if we can get a spark.
Here are some Illinois basketball lineup adjustments to finish the 2024-25 season
No. 1 Guard
- Starter: Kasparas Jakucionis
I think Illinois should run everything through Kasparas Jakucionis. Is he a perfect guard? No, not by any means. The kid is still a freshman. But he is the best thing we have offensively.
Jakucionis can run an offense, and I am sick of seeing someone else pounding the rock while Jakucionis stands around. Much like certain players in the NBA, the ball needs to go through Jakucionis every time down the court.
No. 2 Guard
- Starter: Kylan Boswell
Kylan Boswell isn’t exactly in my favorite players of all-time category, but I see the value of him on the court. When he is locked in, Boswell is Illinois’ best defender. He can play some incredible defense and give opposing guards so much trouble.
The biggest issue I have with Boswell is the fact he is such a liability when he thinks he is Steph Curry offensively. It frustrates me when he steps back and shoots from three-point range. Keep your head down and drive to the bucket. Create contact and get to the free throw line for the love of God.
No. 3 Wing
- Starter: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn
One of the bad things about the transfer portal is that we don’t get to see certain players get starts due to transfers taking over. That is the case with Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. It should be a crime he isn’t starting right now.
Gibbs-Lawhorn leads Illinois in energy and drive. He is a scrappy player who can give the Illini an edge. I haven’t even mentioned the fact he is a good shooter from three-point range, and he can create his own shot all over the court. This kid is a weapon that needs to be used more.
No. 4 Forward
- Starter: Will Riley
The emergence of Will Riley has been extremely fun to watch. He looked so lost and couldn’t get the speed of the game down earlier this season. You can see everything slow down for him and things start to click.
Riley has now scored double-digit points in seven straight games. He is a dynamic player who can tear opposing teams apart with his size and athletic ability. And don’t sleep on him or he will drain a three-pointer from NBA range. I would argue Riley is one of the most dynamic players on the team, and that is why he should be starting at the No. 4 spot.
No. 5 Center
- Starter: Tomislav Ivisic
A big man like Tomislav Ivisic doesn’t come around often. If it weren't for injury and illness, he would have been even better this season. When able to suit up, Ivisic has started most of the games for the Illini.
I want to keep him in that starting role. Let’s ride with Ivisic until he leaves the program. His ability to shoot from three-point range and still be good in the post is incredible.
Bench Order:
- Tre White
First off the bench should be Tre White. When healthy, he has been a solid contributor this season. I expected more out of him, as he was a prized transfer portal get, but White can help Illinois win some games.
- Jake Davis (When healthy)
The future is so bright with a player like Jake Davis on the roster. He is filling a role that Illinois needed greatly this season. Davis is scrappy and can shoot from three-point range. That is a great player to have come off the bench.
- Ben Humrichous
It seems like there is a lot of pressure on someone like Ben Humrichous. Taking that pressure off of him and having him come off the bench would probably do him some good. Humrichous could come in and give Illinois a couple of big buckets and play 10-14 minutes per game.
- Carey Booth
Let’s give Carey Booth some minutes down the stretch. I don’t need much out of him, but building his confidence wouldn’t hurt. Illinois is shorthanded, so we will need as many bodies as possible in the coming weeks.