Big Ten Team Preview: Illinois Fighting Illini

By Ryan Bramwell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breakdown:

• 2011-2012: 17-15 (6-12)
• Postseason: None
• Coach: John Groce (1^st Year)

 

 Situation:

• Gone: Meyers Leonard, Sam Maniscalco
• Back: Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson, Joe Bertrand
• New:  Sam McLaurin, Devin Langford

 

 Returning Numbers:

• MIN – 72.1%
• PTS –  77.9%
• 3PM – 87.8%
• REB – 74.1%
• AST –  76.0%

 

Returning Leaders:

• MPG – Richardson (34.6), Paul (33.4), Abrams (21.1), Bertrand (20.1)
• PPG – Paul (14.7), Richardson (11.6), Bertrand (6.5)
• RPG – Paul (4.7), Griffey (3.3), Richardson (3.0)

 

Key Players:

• Brandon Paul
• D.J. Richardson
• Joseph Bertrand
• Tracy Abrams

Keys to Success:

• Learning to play a new style and system under new head coach John Groce (from Ohio U.)
• The backcourt play of Abrams, Richardson and Paul
• Getting more than expected from the inexperienced frontcourt
• Overcoming the lack of depth on the roster

 Projected Starters:

• PG – Tracy Abrams
• SG – Brandon Paul
• SF – Joseph Bertrand
• PF – Tyler Griffey
• C – Nnanna Egwu

Blue Ribbon Grades:

• Backcourt: B
• Frontcourt: C
• Bench/Depth: C
• Intangibles: C

Preview Links:

• Black ShoeDiaries
• Inside the Hall
• Blue Ribbonat ESPN
• BleacherReport
• Rant Sports

ESPN Team Page:

• Fighting Illini Basketball

 

My Prediction:

• 9-9, 8th Place