Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season
481. . . . Fighting Illini . 3. team
Most of Illinois’ most notable players from last season are gone. Thanks to Brad Underwood’s work on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, the Fighting Illini may not lose as much as a step.
Illinois finished in a two-way tie at the top of the Big Ten last season, but were knocked out of the Big Ten Tournament in the quarterfinals. They faced a quick exit in the NCAA Tournament, too, losing in the second round to Houston.
The exit from the NCAA Tournament preceded exists by Kofi Cockburn, Andre Curbelo, Trent Frazier, and Jacob Grandison, among others. That’s a lot of talent out the door.
Underwood isn’t rebuilding, though – he’s just reloading for another NCAA Tournament run.
First, the returnees, led by RJ Melendez and Coleman Hawkins. Hawkins is likely to be the tallest big man among the regulars and will be relied upon to battle inside, but Melendez will be looked at to take another step forward as a sophomore.
Next, the transfers. Illinois landed two of the most highly-touted transfers in the portal this offseason. Terrence Shannon Jr. arrives after three seasons at Texas Tech, which included one Third Team All-Big 12 honor and a 38.4 percent three-point shooting mark last season. Matthew Mayer comes from Baylor, where he played for four seasons and won a title in 2021. Both should immediately become Illinois’ best players.
Finally, there’s the freshmen, particularly Skyy Clark. He could prove to be one of the more important freshmen in the country, coming in as a five-star recruit, according to 247 Sports. Watch as he takes an immediate role under Underwood.
It’s a different team for Underwood, but not necessarily a worse one. It will be hard to replace Cockburn’s production, but Illinois should still be very good.