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Illinois Basketball: Illinois Fighting Illini 2015-16 Season Preview

By Beaumont Rand

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Illinois Fighting Illini

2014-2015 Record: 19-14 (9-9, B1G)
Postseason: NIT, First Round

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John Groce’s fourth season in Champaign is certainly his most important. Though Illinois doesn’t come close to qualifying as blue-blood, three straight double-digit-loss seasons put a 2012-13 NCAA Third Round finish, Groce’s best at Illinois, firmly in the rearview. This does not sit will for a program with winning aspirations- remember the Illini are only a decade removed from the title contending Self/Weber years.

There will be significant roster turnover for Illinois- they lose top scorer and defender Rayvonte Rice and retain two of their six leading scores. But John Groce is bringing some serious talent into Champaign. Transfers and freshmen will be expected to carry the mantle against a top-heavy Big Ten. Particularly, five-star recruit Jalen Coleman-Lands will be thrust into the spotlight due to Tracy Abrams unfortunate season-ending torn Achilles’.

Down low, 6-11, 270-pound Charlotte transfer Mike Thorne Jr. will be needed to quickly help fill the void left by Rice and NBA-bound big man Nnanna Egwu. Veteran guards Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn must steady the shifting roster for Illinois to return to the Big Dance.

Newcomers

G – Jalen Coleman-Lands(#37 247Sports Composite)
G – Aaron Jordan (#117 247Sports Composite)
G – Khalid Lewis (transfer from LaSalle)
F – DJ Williams (#78 247Sports Composite)
F – Darius Paul (JUCO transfer)
C – Mike Thorne, Jr. (transfer from Charlotte)

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 18 at Providence – The Illini’s third game of 2015-16 will be a true road game against a team who made the tourney last year, and one who, with the return of Kris Dunn, aims to return to the Dance again. This could be an early-season win with a good shelf life when it comes to tournament resumes. Though too early to deem a necessary win, Illinois will want to start off strong on the road.

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    • Dec. 2 vs Notre Dame – This is most definitely the most meaningful non-conference game for Illinois. Despite the losses of Pat Connaughton and and Jerian Grant to the NBA, the Irish will have a solid returning roster that places them amongst the top five teams in the ACC. Though Notre Dame comes to Champaign, Illinois will have a lot to gain with an early victory against a likely top-20 opponent.

    Dec. 23 vs Missouri – Due to Mizzou’s disastrous 2014-15, this non-con matchup is the inverse of the Notre Dame game. The Illini will have a lot to lose if the Tigers, who went 9-23 last season, comes into the State Farm Center and steals one. John Groce will need a strong win at home in this border war to not only maintain any momentum gained in the non-con, but also to keep his seat relatively cool

    Key Players

    Malcolm Hill – The Illini’s top returning scorer will be first in line to compensate for Rayvonte Rice’s absence. The 6-6 swingman will need to shoot well from outside to stretch defenses as well as improve on his assist average to make his teammates better. With the season-ending injury to vet Tracy Abrams, Hill will have much more asked of him than initially thought. He will need to be the guy for Illinois if they are to have a successful conference campaign.

    Mike Thorne Jr. – Spurning the likes of Kentucky for Illinois, the former Charlotte big man appears to fill Nnanna Egwu’s shoes on paper. They are of similar stature in terms of height and bulk. Like Egwu, Thorne has NBA size and talent- his ability to rebound and finish around the rim will be crucial for the Illini if their guards do not catch on fire. If Darius Paul plays to potential, this could be one of the best frontcourts in the Big Ten.

    Season Outlook

    It’s extremely difficult to project where the Illini will fare in the B1G or the non-conference for that matter because of the many new pieces. The loss of Tracy Abrams will initially sting and put pressure on Coleman-Lands to perform early. Yes, John Groce’s back may be against the wall in Champaign, especially with some early losses. But there is enough talent in Illinois to win 20 games this season. As of right now they aren’t conference title contenders, but a trip to the Dance must be the end result of a successful 2015-16 campaign.

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