On to the Brad Underwood era now.
Period.
There is no need for a NIT recap and/or analysis, or an unnecessary and elongated intro here. Let’s just dive right in to the way too early 2017-18 Illini basketball season preview.
Regime Change
The “will John Groce be fired or not?” gave way to the coaching search speculation, and now with that issue settled there are two questions on everybody’s minds-
1. Will Assistant Jamall Walker stay on?
No one knows for sure yet, but Walker is very popular and most Illini basketball fans hope that he sticks around. Underwood sounded positive about the idea of retention in his interview during the NIT elimination game.
The second question on everybody’s mind-
will the recruiting class stay committed to Champaign now with the regime change completed?
Well, no one has asked to be released from their national letter of intent, and there hasn’t been any serious chatter about any de-commitments either. What we do know is that Underwood will meet with all of the future Illini basketball players in the next couple of days to make his pitch they should stay.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/844003960285511680
So what does Underwood bring to the Illini basketball table?
An identity, first and foremost. He’s been a program builder/turnaround artist, leading teams that play very aggressive defense and entertaining offense. Seven seconds and shoot- that seems to be the mantra circulating in conversation after his Monday intro presser.
“Sweat equity” seems to be his catch-phrase/buzz word. He is intense and he make this program better, from day one. Here’s a link to more on his resume and how and why this move was made.
Athletic Director Josh Whitman knows what he’s doing, and he’s now cleaning house/the messes left by his predecessor Mike Thomas. On Monday, Underwood outlined his vision for the program.
It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight of course, because this is the very definition of a “rebuilding year” for the Illini basketball program.
Who’s Gone
Guard Tracy Abrams, Guard Malcolm Hill, Center Maverick Morgan, Guard Jaylon Tate, Center Mike Thorne
Hill graduates as the third leading scorer in Illini basketball history, and perhaps #1 all-time in media skills. Actually, it’s a lot more than that- Hill is just himself, and that’s a very likable, gregarious individual. We’re all rooting for him to get drafted, and here’s where we have him slotted in our latest NBA mock draft.
Malcolm Hill after an emotional Senior Night #Illini victory pic.twitter.com/Xiw5jADno5
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) March 2, 2017
Abrams leaves as the 33rd leading scorer in Illini basketball history. The sixth year senior was a five year captain. This team loses its top three scorers from last season, as it was a senior heavy squad.
Who’s Returning
Guard Te’Jon Lucas, Forward Leron Black, Forward Kipper Nichols, Guard D.J. Williams, Guard Aaron Jordan, Guard Jalen Coleman-Lands
So this is what it’s like to have a real, true point guard again?! “Lucas with the lid off” showed potential at times, but maybe he would be even further along had John Groce decided to start him earlier. Of course, if Groce had started Hill and Nunn earlier during their freshman season that team would have likely made the tourney.
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts then we’d all have a merry christmas.
Williams is a highly rated recruit who’s seen minimal playing time. In 2017-18 you have got to find out what you really have or don’t have with him. Black has had his moments here and there, but he’s definitely not living up to his recruiting hype either. JCL took a step backward this year after a great freshman campaign. However, of anyone on the roster, he might just be the guy who benefits most from the system change.
The former Jordan Brand Classic selection seems like the perfect candidate to take “the leap” in a very trigger happy offense. He could have a break out year. Jordan needs more minutes before any of us could really evaluate him thoroughly. He should get more playing time in 2017-18. Nichols has shown potential.
Who’s Coming
Guard Da’Monte Williams, Guard Trent Frazier, Wing Javon Pickett, Center Jeremiah Tilmon
What #TheMovement was to Indiana and #TheClass was to Michigan State, this group is rated nationally as high as #9 by some, and top 12 by pretty much everybody. Frazier gives Illini basketball a second true point guard (those have been rare in recent years) and Williams is the son of Illinois legend Frank Williams. Pickett is a highly rated talent who could contribute at the two or three and Tilmon is the highest rated recruit the program has landed since Jereme Richmond.
Here’s a link to more on this class.
Tilmon really should have ended the program’s (and the entire state of Illinois college basketball for that matter) McDonald’s All-American game drought.
Very Rough Draft of a Potential Depth Chart
1 Te’Jon Lucas/Trent Frazier
2 Jalen Coleman-Lands/Da’Monte Williams/Aaron Jordan
3 Kipper Nichols/D.J. OR Da’Monte Williams/Javon Pickett
4 Leron Black/Michael Finke/D.J. Williams
5 Jeremiah Tilmon/Michael Finke
Expectations Bottom Line:
You look at what Underwood did at Oklahoma State, and when you consider what a dumpster fire he inherited from Travis Ford, it’s pretty impressive. At UI, he’ll have the B1G’s #1 recruiting class to work with. Of course, this side will be so very young and inexperienced. This year has to be considered a success if Illini basketball can at least, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE finish above that AWFUL HORRIBLE #8 vs #9 B1G Tournament game.
Getting relegated to that purgatory each year has grown beyond tiresome.
A NCAA Tournament berth is realistic, but remember the league will be much better and more experienced next year. Regardless of how next year ends, Illini basketball will return to relevance faster than Illini football. While Lovie is the bigger name and splash hire, Underwood is the more pragmatic get and longer term fit.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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