NCAA Basketball: Strengths/weaknesses of each top-25 team for 2022-23

NCAA Basketball: Strengths and weaknesses of each top-25 team for 2022-23 season

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 02: Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

23. Illinois Fighting Illini

Strength: Abundance of wings

One thing is clear about the Illinois roster is that they have a ton of size from positions 2-4, can defend at a high level and has plenty of athleticism. That’s primarily due to the pickups of 6’6 Texas Tech wing Terrence Shannon Jr. and 6’8 forward from Baylor, Matthew Mayer.

Illinois also brings back a pair of talented 6’7 wings in RJ Melendez and Luke Goode, both of whom will be breakout candidates this season. And 6’6 combo forward and incoming freshman Ty Rodgers will have an impact as well. This is a team that has a ton of options to use on the versatile positions and can create some advantage matchups as well.

Weakness: Proven point guard play

Even after Andre Curbelo failed to emerge as a lead guard, Illinois still had a pair of 5th-year seniors in Trent Frazier and Alfonso Plummer to effectively run the offense. This time around it’s a pair of freshmen in Skyy Clark and four-star prospect Jayden Epps.

It ultimately will come down to how good Clark is out the gate. A five-star recruit and former Kentucky commit is a quality playmaker and scorer but is he ready for big minutes as a freshman? I would’ve felt more comfortable with the Illini had they landed a veteran ball-handler but it looks like they’re all in with Clark.

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