Illinois Basketball: Projected depth chart /rotation for 2023-24 season

Center: Dain Dainja, Cole Hawkins, Amani Hansberry

Dain Dainja: 9.5 ppg / 5.5 rpg / 20.5 mpg

The fact that Coleman Hawkins and Amani Hansberry have already been discussed, yet they also make the heading when it comes to the center position is an indication of just how fluid the position is going to be. It will not be difficult to find any amount of individuals who are willing to state that the 6 foot 9 junior will not be the starting center for Coach Underwood. That speculation was only supported by the Fighting Illini’s trip to Spain where Dainja started just one game and averaged a little over 15 minutes, right in line with Hansberry.

At 270 pounds, Dainja did not waste time once he got the ball in the post and muscled his way to  the second-best field goal percentage in the Big Ten last season. Dainja, however, is not limited to just posting up, as Coach Underwood would put Dainja in the high post and run the offense through him. Whether he was setting a ball screen above the arc for the eventual roll or taking taller defenders off the dribble, Dainja has the skills to keep the starting job for the Illini.

Coach Underwood will be able to play the matchups and create mismatches in his favor by interchanging Dainja, Hawkins and Hansberry to his liking among the four and five spots on the floor, perhaps making Coach Underwood the most important member of the Fighting Illini.