State of the Program:     

One thing is for sure when it comes to this Illinois program, Brad Underwood has brought it back to life. While they haven’t had NCAA tournament success just yet, they have made 3 straight tourney’s, something they hadn’t done since the Webber days of the mid-2000’s. Also tacking on a co-Big Ten championship, it’s fair to say Underwood has at least steadied the ship. It’s now time to get themselves out of the 1st weekend of the tournament, and he looks to have the talent to do so. The off-season was looking quite murky until both Terrence Shannon Jr and Coleman Hawkins pulled out of the NBA draft to give the Illini 2 of its 3 leading scorers back from a season ago. They also bring back several impact guys like Dainja, Rodgers, Harris and Goode who all contributed and stand to improve. On top of all of that is probably the Conference’s best transfer class, headlined by power 5 starter Quincy Guerrier and 3x All-MVC Marcus Domask. The talent is off the charts. The question will be how all of this talent melds together and which combination will be the best for the Illini. What they know, and what gives them lofty expectations, is they have an All-Conference, even potential All-American, level scorer in Terrence Shannon Jr who is hungry to prove he can be an NBA caliber player. With a guy like that expectations have to be high, with a goal I’m sure to cut down nets in the Big Ten and get the March monkey off of Underwood’s back, as he’s yet to get out of the 1st weekend as a HC in 7 tries. 

What’s New: 

Transfers:

Quincy Guerrier [Oregon]

Guerrier is as experienced as they come at high major basketball, with 131 games at Syracuse and Oregon under his belt. His best year he averaged nearly 14 ppg at Syracuse, and while his role was smaller at Oregon he still brings the physicality as a stretch 4 that Illinois is looking for. I could see him playing some at the 3 as well with Hawkins and Dainja inside, which would make the Illini massive and tough on the glass. How he’s able to defend perimeter players will determine just how impactful he is, but his versatility will certainly be leaned on by Underwood. If he fits and plays well it could really catapult this Illini group. 

Marcus Domask [So. Illinois]

Domask doesn’t have the name recognition of a guy like Guerrier but he comes to Illinois far more decorated as a 3x All-MVC selection. He came to the Saluki program and immediately averaged double digits scoring, with his FR year being his lowest at 13.6 ppg. At 6’6″ 215 he can bang around inside, score at all 3 levels and is a good passer as well. Really reminds you of a guy like Robbie Hummel, not the best athlete, but finds a way to get it done and is an absolute sniper when left alone. He could be a liability defensively, but if he can just hang on that end I think he’ll have a major role with the Illini, potentially starting at the 3 alongside Shannon. 

Justin Harmon [Utah Valley]

Harmon is a firecracker, with the skillset in pick and roll offense to score at the rim as well as find big men on lobs and rolls to the bucket. He has a tendency to get wild and out of control, but his ability to score and create is no doubt what Underwood liked when scouting him. He will have a chance to start at the 1 alongside Shannon in the backcourt, but will have to take care of the ball as he averaged more TO’s than assists last season. Sincere Harris will also be competing for minutes, so Harmon’s ability, or lack thereof, to play under control will likely determine his role. When he is under control he’s dynamic attacking downhill, it just might not be as easy at this high of level to wildly attack the rim and be productive. 

Freshman Class:

Amani Hansberry

Hansberry is a unique prospect, kind of an undersized bruiser inside, but then he’ll surprise you with a decent looking jumper. I honestly don’t think he’s quite good enough to break through immediately as a FR, especially with the experience Illinois has in the front court. He does have nice touch in the paint, but he is not an explosive athlete so defensively it is going to be a challenge as his height puts him at the 4 or as an undersized 5. He likely will need to bulk up and just have to grind as a smaller 5 in the Big Ten, unless he can really improve his quickness and jump shot. What he does have going for him is he’s very good at getting position inside and has good footwork, which helps make up for his lack of elite physical traits. [Comp – Xavier Tillman]

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn 

Gibbs-Lawhorn is a springy, score first PG that plays with a lot of flair and not much regard for being a traditional PG. He knows no bad shot, but certainly shows the ability to make difficult shots and is unafraid when attacking the rim despite his small frame. His challenge as a prospect is he really is a wing in a point guard’s body. He will need to develop as a PG if he wants to see major minutes in high level college basketball, as he likely will come in very turnover prone, and his shot selection won’t be taken kindly at a program like Illinois. However, his upside is tremendous because these are things that can be developed, unlike his natural physical gifts he’s been blessed with. You can’t develop his explosiveness, tenacity or fearlessness, it just needs reigned in a bit to be fully harnessed. He’s a project, which could see him become an All-Conference performer, or at a low major school in a couple years where he can jack up shots and turn it over 5 times a game. Up to him. [Comp – Tyrese Maxey]

Niccolo Moretti – Zacharie Perrin

I don’t see either of these guys cracking through, as they’re likely 12 and 13 on the roster. Although Moretti could surpass Gibbs-Lawhorn, I don’t think that’s enough to get in the rotation this year. 

2023-24 Prediction

Underwood has so much to work with here with this roster he has built. Shannon Jr and Hawkins back as the centerpieces gives them veteran firepower, but the transfers are what look to push them into the top-15 or higher. I look for them to go small more often than not, with Hawkins at the 5 and Guerrier and Domask alongside. That starting lineup would give them 4 very good outside shooters, with Harris there to anchor things at the PG. Maybe that’s Harmon, who knows, but I really don’t think they’ll desperately need Harmon to create with the starting group. He’s a perfect spark plug kind of guy to come off the bench. The more I chew on this roster the more I love it, as they have Dainja there as well if they need to go big at times. There’s honestly no excuse why Underwood can’t get this talented group into the 2nd weekend in March and be contending for a Big Ten Championship. Anything less than that is an abject failure for this team, and frankly I won’t be shocked if that is exactly what happens. He’s had more talented teams, see Ayo and Kofi’s years. What typically happens with an Underwood coached team is lazy defensive stretches and a chaotic offense that relies on a guy like Shannon to create everything while the other 4 stand and watch. Hopefully, for Underwood’s sake, he can get some sort of offensive scheme developed for this group. He has shooters, he has playmakers, and even has a post presence with Dainja. Again, I can’t stress enough, no excuses why this team isn’t a Sweet 16 team at minimum and inside the top 10 or 15 all season long. 

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