From a Sparty fan who puts us at #20.
20. Illinois
1 - Skyy Clark, Jayden Epps
2 - Terrence Shannon, Ramses Melendez, Sencire Harris
3 - Luke Goode, Ty Rodgers
4 - Matthew Mayer, Zacharie Perrin
5 - Coleman Hawkins, Dain Dainja, Brandon Lieb
I want to have Illinois in the top-15 like some others do, but I am just skeptical that it will all come-together for the Illini. Hawkins is the only high-minute returner, and this team will rely on two freshman lead-guards (both with NBA aspirations) to feed veteran wings with their own NBA resumes to burnish.
This team will also run the risk of playing some really offense-defense lineups with only Shannon being the best option at his position and a two-way player. Every other spot will likely have to choose offense or defense (unless Clark can really defend much-older point guards as a freshman); that and the lack of continuity are a recipe for disaster.
But I think it can work: Shannon has to play like an NBA player, Mayer has to hit shots like he did two years ago at Baylor, Goode has to defend well enough to stay on the court to hit shots, and intriguing freshmen Rodgers and Perrin have to contribute right away. Most of all, Clark and Epps have to find a real rhythm and cohesion with all of these new faces in what could become a transactional and mediocre season if this group cannot mesh and find a way to build trust. Big Ten chase-group, for now.
https://www.theonlycolors.com/2022/8/12/23220499/2022-2023-ncaa-mens-basketball-top-60-teams-preseason-rankings-no-1-30-michigan-state#comments
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