CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Head coach Brad Underwood’s Illini went hunting for promising additions this offseason, and succeeded at doing so, landing multiple elite freshmen and a proven transfer. But with a chunk of Illinois’ veteran core returning to Champaign, Underwood will have to figure out how to carve minutes out for the new faces without disrupting the chemistry of the established vets.
Quentin Coleman & Stefan Vaaks: 26-30 minutes
Illini fans assume five-star freshman Quentin Coleman will step right into the starting lineup, filling the point guard role that Keaton Wagler left. Alongside him, Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, coming off an Estonian League Championship and Big East All-Freshman Team selection, will likely step into the shooting guard role after averaging 15.8 points per game while shooting 35% from 3-point range with the Friars last season. 26-30 minutes per game is a realistic expectation for both of the newcomers in the starting five.
David Mirkovic & Andrej Stojakovic: 28-30 minutes
After his standout freshman campaign in orange and blue last season, David Mirkovic has virtually locked down his spot in Underwood’s ideal starting lineup. Mirkovic started 35 out of Illinois’ 36 games last season.
Stojakovic though, sat on the bench for 11 games behind Jake Davis during the back end of last season after returning from injury. There’s a question mark as to whether Underwood will replicate that rotation, but given Stojakovic’s scoring production as Illinois’ second-leading scorer last season, it still would be somewhat of a surprise to see him start the season on the bench if he’s fully healthy. Jake Davis earned that spot through rebounding and defensive grit, high IQ spacing and consistent 3-point shooting. But if Stojakovic used this offseason to develop his rebounding and defensive abilities, his ceiling is much higher. 28-30 minutes per game for Stojakovic is a realistic prediction.
Jake Davis: 18-20 minutes
Additionally, Vaaks’ entrance in the starting lineup changes the lineup dynamic. Vaaks and Davis offer spot-up shooting, but a lineup with Vaaks and Stojakovic gives the Illini a late-clock creating option. Davis looks like Illinois’ ideal sixth man this season if he doesn’t start. Keeping him around for at least 18-20 minutes per game will preserve Illinois’ perimeter spacing and defensive discipline.
Tomislav: 22 minutes; Zvonimir: 18 minutes
Although Tomislav Ivisic likely has his spot in the starting lineup locked down, having started two seasons at the center position for the Illini, Underwood may be a little more generous to Zvonimir than he was last season regarding minutes. Tomislav’s pick-and-pop spacing, 3-point threat, low-block scoring and playmaking abilities should grant him around 22 minutes per game. That leaves an 18-minute window for Zvonimir to utilize his elite rim protection, vertical rim running and stretch-five threat from the wing to offer a completely different playstyle. Zvonimir averaged 17 minutes per game last season, and it’d be a shock to see those numbers decrease.
Lincoln Williams & Lucas Morillo: 10-12 minutes
A problem Underwood might face is deciding how to balance minutes for the first seven with minutes for the rest of the incoming freshmen. There’s been quite a good bit of hype around wings like Lincoln Williams and Lucas Morillo, but will Illinois fans get to appreciate them on the court this season? Or will they have to wait until the returning core departs? What gives them both a chance to get rotational minutes is the fact that they can both fill in at guard and wing. Williams offers explosive vertical ability and transition scoring, while Morillo offers patient ball-handling and playmaking. If both of them can offer disciplined defense and rebounding, they may be able to carve out 10-12 minutes per game if they maximize their opportunities.
It won’t be easy for Underwood to dish out 200 minutes for a roster this deep, but it’s a good problem to have. TCR readers, what are your minutes per game predictions?