We are close to having a roster for next year albeit one that is not well known to any of us (ha ha, if you think
you know them!) and is a bunch of guys that are of course also unknown to one another at this point, which is the important thing to overcome in becoming a team over the next many months.
That said, I am running minutes and positions and skillsets (not a word, sorry) and personalities (which I can only barely or not at all fairly judge -- that's a fair criticism for sure) on both sides of the ball and other factors as well and wonder if this won't be the
base rotation next year ... one that will change with injury or the (to me) unanticipated development of one or
more guys ... :
1.) I think
Tomislav Ivisic (24 min/game) and
Morez Johnson (16 min/game and yeah, I know, freshman big men foul too much and lack body development which is why they foul and fail to score at the rim ... I know, but Morez is a different kinda guy I think/hope) will share the 5-man position. And Morez will also be the backup 4.
2.)
Ben Humrichous will be the starting 4 (31 min/game);
Morez (9 min/game) will back him up.
3.)
Tre White will be the starting 3 (30-31 min/ game);
Jake Davis will get most of the rest of the minutes here as the backup because he can shoot and shoot off the dribble.
4.)
Kasparas Jascionus (man, spelling -- did I blow it?) will start.
5.)
Kylan Boswell (32 min/game). He will be the PG except when KJ is the PG ... 20 years ago we had a pair of PGs start and it worked better than any team in Illini history. Maybe this backcourt will go in that direction.
Dre Gibbs-Langhorn could be the backup guard at the 1 + 2, since the starting 1 and 2 are just like him combo guys. That would be a three-guard rotation, with a speedy and smaller guard and explosive guard coming off the bench. That has been a winning arrangement in college year after year.
Carey Booth will get minutes but not be in the 8 man rotation this year. Next year, with Ben Humdinger moved on? If he wants to stay after a year of hard work, he could very well be a gem.
Ty Rogers ... I love him as a basketball player, I would love to coach him, he has GOT to make shots in the paint (he missed so many last year, as Coach Underwood well knows ...). He needs to be patient with himself and yet demanding of himself. I think the staff at our program are better-situated to bring his true potential forth than is any other staff because he clearly appears to trust them. Trust is key to this talent's development.
Jason Jakstys: redshirt who will help the scout team, improve a LOT this year and next and then .. sigh ... I would love to see him make an impact for the Illini when it his turn arises, but if not, I would love to see him take the Illini Way to the opportunity that presents itself to him when it does. And it will, here or elsewhere.
OK, I think my work is done here. I mean my ignorance is exposed here. I mean ... I am just hoping everything works out for everyone
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