Projected 2024-25 lineup for the Illinois basketball team

No. 3 Guard/Forward

Starter: Adalia McKenzie (SR)

Continuing the trend of talented players coming back to Illinois, having Adalia McKenzie at the No. 3 spot is huge for the Illini. She is entering her senior year and has been a great player on the wing for the Orange and Blue.

This past season, McKenize started in every game for the Illinois basketball program and averaged 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and led the Illini with 1.4 steals per game. McKenzie is one of those do-it-all type of players. She isn’t a huge scoring threat from three-point range, but she can rebound, shoot from mid-range, and finish at the rim. Having her back in the fold is huge, and I have McKenzie starting at the No. 3 spot for the Illini.

Backup: Cori Allen (SO)

Another player who I am excited about and Illinois fans got to see a glimpse of during the 2023-24 season is Cori Allen. She entered last season as a freshman and saw action in 16 games. Allen averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.5 minutes per game.

I think Allen is about to step up in a more prominent role in 2024-25. She saw some time as a freshman, but Allen provides quality depth out on the wing for the Illini. There is also potential for her to be a scoring threat in the second rotation, as she was 2-of-5 from three-point range this past season. I would love to see that expand. I have Allen as the primary backup at the No. 3 spot.

Backup: Transfer Portal (Scholarship #2)

With McKenzie entering her senior year, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Shauna Green to go out and get a nice young transfer portal wing who can help this program. Illinois could use a freshman or sophomore transfer who can compete with Allen in the coming years for the starting job. This would help McKenzie's departure go more smoothly after next season.