Illinois basketball has integration process for Terrence Shannon Jr.

Illinois basketball is getting back the leading scorer on the team this Sunday.

It has been a crazy four weeks in the sports world. The Illini were in a great position after beating Missouri in the Braggin’ Rights game on December 22. Just days later, as the Illini sat at 9-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten, Illinois received news that Terrence Shannon Jr. was charged with rape. With the news, Illinois’ athletic department suspended Shannon.

Shannon fought the suspension in the court system and won his case. While he still awaits the preliminary hearing for his alleged crimes, Shannon can now rejoin the Illinois basketball team and suit up immediately.

From a sports perspective, Illinois now gets back a dynamic scorer. Shannon is the program’s leading scorer at 21.7 points per game. He also averages 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 40.8% from three-point range.

Brad Underwood has a game plan for Shannon’s usage as well. On Sunday, he sat down for his pregame media availability and laid out how he would fold Shannon back into the mix.

In the press conference, Underwood said that he won’t start Shannon against Rutgers. Instead, he has a plan to integrate him back onto the court. He is bringing Shannon off the bench, and the usage of the star guard isn’t known just yet. Underwood says it is a feel thing when it comes to how many minutes Shannon will play against the Scarlet Knights.

Brad Underwood and the Illinois basketball program are approaching Terrence Shannon Jr.’s availability the right way

Illinois has done a great job since Shannon was suspended. I have been impressed with the gelling from the current roster and the players who have stepped up.

In this time, Coleman Hawkins has looked incredible. Ty Rodgers has taken a bigger leadership role and is blossoming into his own. I have loved the time Luke Goode has received. He has been a bigger part of this team, and Illinois relies on him to stretch the floor.

Underwood is doing the right thing by not starting Shannon immediately and working him back into the lineup. It could cause some chemistry issues if you just throw him back into the mix.

I would imagine Shannon still receives 18-22 minutes against Rutgers. That number is sure to grow in the coming weeks too. Shannon will start again, most likely against Northwestern on Wednesday. But for this one game, while he gets his legs underneath him, it is the right move to have Shannon come off the bench.