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Jun. 22—Now that the Thanksgiving matchup with Arkansas has been announced, Illinois is set to play five power conference teams in its nonconference schedule this coming season. Here’s a look at all five that feature new-look rosters just like the Illini:
Alabama
Mark Sears withdrawing from the NBA draft to return to the Crimson Tide was as important of a roster decision as any in the country. Right up there with R.J. Davis opting for one last season at North Carolina. Because Sears, like Davis, will almost assuredly be a preseason All-American. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and four assists last season as a 51/44/86 shooter, and is bound to be just as productive in 2024-25. Alabama also got Grant Nelson, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Jarin Stevenson to return and will round out its rotation with five-star freshman wing Derrion Reid, Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi in the middle and transfer guards Chris Youngblood (South Florida) and Aden Holloway (Auburn).
Arkansas
The Razorbacks have even fewer returning scholarship players than Illinois, with Trevon Brazile the only holdover from the Eric Musselman era other than walk-on Lawson Blake. New coach John Calipari had to build his team basically from scratch, with Brazile actually one of the last additions after he withdrew from the NBA draft. It’s a small group, too, with just nine scholarship players heavy on Kentucky transfers (D.J. Wagner, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic) and one-time Kentucky signees (Billy Richmond III, Karter Knox and Boogie Fland). Only Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis and Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo didn’t have an established relationship with Calipari.
Tennessee
Santiago Vescovi might have run out of eligibility, but the Tennessee backcourt will look relative familiar with Zakai Ziegler, Jordan Gainey and Jahmai Mashack all returning. Dalton Knecht, of course, is about to be a lottery pick, and replacing his nearly 22 points per game will be a challenge. One that North…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/good-morning-illini-nation-high-144800412.html
Author : The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
Publish date : 2024-06-22 14:48:00
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