Illini basketball returns 42% of scoring next season; up from 2% last year

As Michael Scott of the Office once said, “Oh, how the turn tables.”

In 2023-2024, Illinois returned just 2% of scoring. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and AJ Redd accounted for 2.4 and 0.3 points-per-game, respectively.

This season, Illinois is on track to return 41.5% of its scoring production.

Center Tomislav Ivisic scored 13 PPG. Guard Kylan Boswell scored over 12 PPG. Forward Ben Humrichous scored 7.6 PPG. Forward Jake Davis scored 3 PPG.

“Those are all guys that have been big parts of what this team was this year, and can move that forward to another level, as it always happens here,” said Illini head coach Brad Underwood in April. “And our guys get better, they buy in more.”

While Underwood’s success recruiting Eastern European players has stolen headlines this off-season, Illini fans on social media are thrilled with “The Retention” of several of Illinois top scorers from last season.

After a blowout loss at Wisconsin in February, Underwood praised the Badgers for its veteran leadership and ability. A stark contrast to a young Illinois team handcuffed by youth and inconsistent play.

“You have no idea how valuable (being old) is,” said Underwood. “You just keep gaining confidence, then you can use just joystick.”

Underwood’s best seasons in Champaign are after off-seasons of high retention. His weaker seasons happen when he loses a vast majority of the scoring (check out the Matthew Mayer year).

The 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 were built around third-years Ayo Dosunumu and Kofi Cockburn. Fifth-years Damonte Williams and Trent Frazier.

Is that era of college basketball not relevant anymore? Ok, here’s the breakdown of 2023-2024, who made the Elite 8.

They returned Coleman Hawkins, Luke Goode, Terrence Shannon Jr., Ty Rodgers and Dain Dainja. That accounted for 54% of the scoring from a 20-13 team.

A Background on the Returners and can they improve?

The Elite 8 team saw Shannon improve from 17 to 23 PPG. Hawkins went from 9 to 12 PPG and had better shot selection. Rodgers went from 3 to 6 PPG. Goode went from 4 to 5.7 PPG. Dainja’s PPG dropped a lot due to less playing time, but he led the nation in field goal percentage, and had big games in March.

Boswell, Ivisic and Humrichous each battled ups-and-down this past season. But showcased incredible potential.

Boswell

To start the season, Boswell had low shot volume. And consistently struggled to make three point – surprising, since was a deep threat at Arizona. The percentage dropped from 38% to under 25%.

However, in the last eight games, Boswell averaged 17 points and shot 55% from the field. Despite poor three point shooting, his shot selection improved and he cut to the rim well.

With point guard Mihailo Petrovic on campus, I'd expect him to handle most ball handler responsibility, and not Boswell. This could help Boswell play off the ball, and attack the basket for layups.

Finally, Boswell is an excellent on-ball defender. While only 6-foot-1-inch, he's sturdy and can guard a range of players. From shutting down All-American guard Mark Sears of 'Bama, to locking down 7-foot center Danny Wolf of Michigan, Boswell was a bright spot on a poor defensive team.

Ivisic

Ivisic was cursed in the Winter. Strep throat, mono, the flu and a swollen ankle made Ivisic miss several games, and compromised him even when he played.

For a 7-foot-1-inch center, he doesn’t play the most traditional role on offense. Half of his shot attempts come from the three point line.

Making 36% of his threes, Ivisic spaces the floor and allows others to cut to the basket for lay ups often. Even though stats say Ivisic scores well inside, I do think that’s an area of his game that could improve.

An underrated part of Ivisic's game is passing. With him sitting in the post or three point line, I'd expect him to get others involved and create easy scoring chances for others.

Humrichous

Humrichous transferred to Illinois with plenty of hype. One national analyst said he was the next Dalton Knecht, the star Tennessee player who scored 20 points per game.

An Evansville transfer who made over 40% of his threes two years ago, Humrichous struggled with Illinois overall. He went from 30 minutes per game and starting to 15 minutes and coming off the bench.

After Thanksgiving, Humrichous’ three point percentage fell. Sometimes, he’d go 0-for and be a factor in an Illinois loss.

While Humrichous struggled on defense and rebounding early, that actually improved late last season. He was vital in a win over Purdue on Senior Day. And on offense, he did show some versatility, successfully using booty ball against Penn State and Indiana.

With another off-season, Humrichous should improve in Big Ten play, and if he makes three pointers, he will likely see his minutes increase. It was probably too much to expect him to thrive in his first Big Ten season, after two years of NAIA and just one season at Division 1.

But I doubt Underwood will structure the game plan around him as much.

Jury is out whether Humrichous will develop enough to become Domask 2.0, and use booty ball often and efficiently.

I think most Illini fans would take, per game, 6 points, 36 percent shooting, and decent defense.

Rodgers

Finally, let’s talk about Ty Rodgers. The redshirt junior who didn’t play last season after Underwood loaded up with primarily three-point shooters.

Rodgers started every game two years ago, when Illinois made the Elite 8. He only averaged over 6 points per game. But he had a high field goal percentage, and could score off the bounce in the post.

Rodgers was a good defender and can guard multiple positions. But his speciality was offensive rebounding. According to KenPom, he was one of America’s best two years ago.

I think Rodgers would have served a vital role for Illinois last season, especially when Ivisic was out, and Illinois was counting on Humrichous and Davis to help the front court.

He's a good defender, rebounder, and leader -- hard to complain.