College Basketball

Illinois Basketball: Illini Developing Same Construct as the 2005 Team

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:12 p.m. ET

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Mar 6, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce looks on from the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Do you remember that great run the Illinois basketball team had in the 2005 NCAA tournament?

The Illinois Fighting Illini had a special team over a decade ago.  This team made it to the national championship with a roster that goes down as one of the greatest ever.

As an Illinois fan, I have come to the realization that it is unlikely that I will ever see that great of a basketball team don the orange and blue ever again.

But, when I look at what is happening with the current recruiting situation it makes me wonder.  Could this great run be duplicated sometime down the road?

That 2004-2005 Illinois basketball team consisted of supreme talent from all areas of the United States.  These players all came together to form that great run we witnessed.

Dee Brown and Deron Williams were one of the best combinations in college basketball.  Luther Head was a nightmare to guard and developed into a great shooter.

Roger Powell played with more heart than anyone in the game.  James Augustine was a mad man in the paint and was a rock for this team.

When I look at the players John Groce is recruiting today and for the future, I can see similarities in how he wants the team constructed.

Let’s take a look at each position.

Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Nike basketballs on a rack before a game between the Boston College Eagles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guard

The leading point guard for the Illinois basketball team in 2005 was Dee Brown.

Brown was a superstar player for the Illini that helped lead the team to four straight NCAA tournament berths and the national championship in 2005.

It is hard to match any point guard to Brown because he was a 5-star according to recruiting sites and one of the best players in the country.

The construct of the point guard position could be similar, though.

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Groce recruited Te’Jon Lucas who will be the starting point guard for the Illini in 2017, if not sooner.  He is a quick, 6-foot, point guard who can dish the ball as well as shoot.

This is similar to the style of Brown.  He was also 6-foot tall and had the ability to distribute the rock as well as shoot.

Brown was quicker than Lucas, but there are similarities to size and game.

Groce also added in Trent Frazier to the mix as well.  He is a bigger point guard that can spell minutes in 2017 and beyond.

Frazier will give Lucas time to rest or they could even play together at times, much like the build of the 2005 team.

There are so many options at point guard and I can’t wait to see what Groce does with this team.

Mar 3, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) shoots over Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guard

The shooting guard position on the 2005 Illinois basketball team really wasn’t the stereotypical role that we have all been accustomed to.

Usually, the shooting guard is someone bigger that is the knockdown shooter but nothing much more.

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In 2005, the Illini had Deron Williams playing this role.  He was a big-time shooter but could also handle the ball just about as well as anyone on the court.

The one-two punch of Brown and Williams is the best duo in the history of the Illinois basketball program and possibly of all-time.

Groce’s mindset on this position looks to be the same as the 2005 team.  He wants more guard play so he can see who fits into this role.

This upcoming season the Illini will have Jalen Coleman-Lands in this role.  He is a great shooter but still has some developing at the other duties of ball handling, etc.

I think JCL will develop into a nice ball handler and will be a nice piece for the Illini.  He is also 6-foot-3, just like Williams as well.

Illinois also has Aaron Jordan to spell some minutes for JCL.  He has a Rich McBride role on this squad of just coming in and keeping the pace for the team.

In 2017, Illinois has two other players that will be available for the guard position.  These two players are Javon Picket and Da’Monte Williams.

Both of these players could be pretty good and gives Groce flexibility.

Feb 3, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard D.J. Williams (0) dribbles the ball in the first half at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forward

The small forward position on the 2005 Illinois basketball team was essentially non-existent.

For the Illini, the small forward position ended up turning into the third guard role.

This position was manned by Luther Head.  He developed into a great shooter and was super athletic.

Head would create mismatches because of his athletic ability and shooting.  He was only 6-foot-3 but could match up against any player and run right by most defenders.

This is the point where Groce’s mindset really comes to fruition.

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Illinois currently has DJ Williams and Kipper Nichols at the small forward position.

But, I think in the near future this could end up turning back into the third guard role.  And then they can bring a bigger guy off the bench.

I think the vision for this role is going to be slotting Da’Monte Williams at this position.

Williams is 6-foot-3 and overall is a pretty good talent.  He can bring a lot to the table as far as basketball skills are concerned.

This would make for a starting lineup of Te’Jon Lucas, Jalen Coleman-Lands, and Da’Monte Williams in 2017 so far.

After those three Groce would then have Trent Frazier, Javon Pickett, and Aaron Jordan coming off the bench.  This group of guards could be one of the best ever.

Mar 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) battles for a rebound with Michigan Wolverines guard/forward Kameron Chatman (3) during the second half in the second round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forward

With the transition of the small forward position going from a big position to a small position, that leaves a few players available for the power forward position.

On the 2005 squad, the Illini had Roger Powell starting at the power forward position.  He was 6-foot-6 but was a beast on the boards.

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Power forward will now turn into an athletic position that will really wreak havoc on the opposing teams.

For the future, I see Illinois having DJ Williams, Leron Black, and Kipper Nichols all vying for minutes at this position.

They would also come in for the third guard when Groce would want to go with a bigger lineup.

But, having these three players at this position is going to be huge for Groce.  They all bring attributes that will benefit the team.

I love Williams’ athletic ability.  He is long and fast and will be able to get rebounds as well as get to the basket.

Black is more of a bruiser in the paint.  He is the enforcer that can put a hurting on players and be a sparkplug for the team if need be.

The jury is still out on Nichols.  His tapes look great but I think he is a little raw on the offensive end.  He could be a great guy coming off the bench.

The possibilities are endless at the power forward position.  Illinois is loaded at this spot now and into the future.

Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) shoots the ball against the Providence Friars during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Center

The final piece to the puzzle for the 2005 Illinois basketball team was the center position.

This position was one of the best for the Illini and it was led by 6-foot-10 James Augustine.

Augustine was a special player.  He had great athletic ability and he could shoot the ball pretty well for how big he was.

If it wasn’t for some cheap fouls in the national championship that caused Augustine to ride the pine for a while then I think Illinois would have won the game.

But, even though Illinois went small most of the time they always had a big at the center position.

This is where Jeremiah Tilmon comes into play.

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Tilmon is a 6-foot-10 big man that is coming in from the class of 2017.  He is going to be a special player for the Illinois basketball team.

The great part about Tilmon’s game is that he can shoot and rebound pretty well.  He has the ability to be a big impact player year one for the Illini.

Tilmon will be the center of the Illinois team in 2017 and beyond.  I can’t wait to see what he can do on the basketball court.

Behind Tilmon, I think Michael Finke could spell some minutes.   He isn’t as polished on the defensive end of the court but if he comes in for Tilmon on occasions he can cause mismatches.

Finke is a solid option behind Tilmon, just like Jack Ingram was a solid option behind Augustine.  They both have slightly different games but both were and will be needed for the Illini.

Am I saying the upcoming Illini teams will be as good as the 2005 team that made the national championship?

No, that is not what I am saying.  I am saying I think Groce could possibly be constructing the current and future teams the same way they were put together over a decade ago.

The future is extremely right for the Illini and, hopefully, wins are soon to follow.

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