Illinois Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Fighting Illini
How is the entire season going to play out for Illinois?
Illinois will have another tough year in the Big Ten. The league is going to be deeper than it was last year. It won’t be as top-heavy, so there won’t be any dominant teams, but each team near the middle has improved. With that said, I expect the Illini still to be just as good on the offensive side. The defense is still in question.
We already know that Trent Frazier, Kipper Nichols, and Aaron Jordan are going to be solid players for Illinois this season. Ayo Dosunmu could turn into a top point guard if he can keep up early.
They have a few good pieces in the paint. The addition of Adonis De La Rosa will help their size. Tevian Jones has promise as a swing player. Samba Kane has the opportunity to make an impact if he can compete with the top-notch competition. He could also turn into their best defender.
They have winnable non-conference games. Their Gavitt Tipoff game, the Maui Invitational and the ACC/Big Ten challenge is brutal, but they should have five easy wins. It’s still kind of up in the air with their matchup with Missouri.
Once again the Big Ten is playing two early games between the non-conference slate. Illinois draws Nebraska and Ohio State. Two top-five teams from a year ago.
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They only get Rutgers one time this season. They have Northwestern twice along with Penn State. Illinois could sneak out at least two out of those four matchups. The Illini managed to beat Nebraska last season. I expect them to beat a team near their level again this season. They have to play Minnesota and Wisconsin twice. They could easily split the series with both of them this season.
Illinois will have to fight in a few games if they want to win more than four games. Teams like Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are much improved from last year. Illinois just doesn’t have the experience, but they certainly have the talent.