Big Ten Preview – #5 Illinois Fighting Illini

By Eric Smith | Nov 14, 2014

Mar 4, 2014; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce at the post game press conference after being defeated by Michigan Wolverines 84-53 at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

Illini fans have high hopes for coach John Groce and the team this year. With a majority of the team recruited by Groce, there are now no excuses, this is a make or break year for the Illini. In a rebuilding year last season, the absence of stars Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson was very noticeable as Illinois often struggled to put up points in Big Ten games. However, with the shooters Illinois has added in the off season, scoring should not be a problem for this year’s team.

Key Losses

Joseph Bertrand, Jon Ekey

Illinois loses two seniors to graduation. As fifth year seniors, both Bertrand and Ekey were eventually taken out of the starting lineup last season and replaced by freshmen. Illinois was able to function much better using their experience and scoring off the bench.

New Faces

Aaron Cosby (Seton Hall transfer), Ahmad Starks (Oregon State transfer), Leron Black (#7 PF) and Michael Finke (#48 PF)

Team Structure

Projected Starters:
- PG SR Ahmad Starks 5’9” 170 lbs
- SG JR Aaron Cosby 6’3” 200 lbs
- SF SR Rayvonte Rice 6’4” 230 lbs
- PF SO Malcolm Hill 6’6” 230 lbs
- C SR Nnanna Egwu 6’11” 250 lbs

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Illinois’ team is built around perimeter shooting. Ahmad Starks, Aaron Cosby and Kendrick Nunn can all get hot from 3 point land and Rayvonte Rice and Malcolm Hill can score inside and out. Rice was a top 5 scorer in the Big Ten last season at 15.9 points per game, but with all the new scoring options around him, look for him to take less shots and become a more efficient player.

Recently, the Illini had a big change to their starting lineup. This summer, 3-year starting point guard Tracy Abrams suffered a torn ACL. While a crushing blow for the Illini, 5th year point guard Ahmad Starks is about as good of a back up as the Illini could have asked for. While the 170 pound Starks is not the defensive player that Abrams is, he will be an improvement on the offensive end seeing as he is the Oregon State all time leader in 3 pointers made.

While the Illini may be a worse defensive team this season, it will not be by very much thanks to one of the best defensive players in the country, Nnanna Egwu. While inconsistent on offense, Egwu has earned starting minutes every season because of his exceptional defense.

One of the team’s biggest strengths this year is experience. The Illini have 7 players who have averaged over 12 minutes per game, and 6 players with significant starting experience at the collegiate level. Additionally, former 5 star recruit Leron Black has an NBA ready body and has been called the hardest working player coach John Groce has ever coached. Depth will be one of Illinois’ biggest strengths this season.

Conclusion

This season will be an optimistic one for Illinois fans until there is reason to believe otherwise. The Fighting Illini’s biggest strengths lie in their perimeter shooting and in their depth. These should help them be one of the better teams in the Big Ten. However, Illinois may struggle on the boards and in the paint, as Egwu is the team’s only experienced true big man. Look for the Illini to make the Sweet 16 this season if the team performs anywhere near their talent level.