2017–18 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team

2017–18 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball
Conference Big Ten Conference
2017–18 record 14–18 (4–14 Big Ten)
Head coach Brad Underwood (1st season)
Assistant coach Orlando Antigua
Assistant coach Jamall Walker
Assistant coach Ron Coleman
Home arena State Farm Center
2017–18 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
No. 5 Michigan State16–2 .889  30–5  .857
No. 11 Purdue15–3 .833  30–7  .811
No. 17 Ohio State15–3 .833  25–9  .735
No. 7 Michigan †13–5 .722  33–8  .805
Nebraska13–5 .722  22–11  .667
Penn State9–9 .500  26–13  .667
Indiana9–9 .500  16–15  .516
Maryland8–10 .444  19–13  .594
Wisconsin7–11 .389  15–18  .455
Northwestern6–12 .333  15–17  .469
Minnesota4–14 .222  15–17  .469
Illinois4–14 .222  14–18  .438
Iowa4–14 .222  14–19  .424
Rutgers3–15 .167  15–19  .441
† 2018 Big Ten Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2017–18 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by first-year head coach Brad Underwood, the Illini played their home games at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois as members of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 14–18, 4–14 in Big Ten play to finish in a three-way tie for 11th place. As the No. 13 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, they lost in the first round to Iowa.[1]

Previous season

The Illini finished the 2016–17 season 20–15, 8–10 in Big Ten play to finish in ninth place. They lost in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament to Michigan. They received an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Valparaiso and Boise State before losing in the quarterfinals to UCF.

On March 11, 2017, Illinois fired head coach John Groce.[2][3] On March 18, the school hired Brad Underwood as the new head coach.[4]

Offseason

Coaching changes

Following Brad Underwood's hiring as head coach, Jamall Walker was retained as an assistant.[5] Underwood hired controversial former South Florida head coach Orlando Antigua who was fired as head coach from South Florida due to an NCAA investigation into academic violations.[6] Underwood also hired Ron Coleman as an assistant and Stephen Gentry as assistant to the head coach.[7]

Player departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
D. J. Williams0G6'7"210SophomoreChicago, IllinoisTransfer to George Washington
Jaylon Tate1G6'3"170SeniorChicago, IllinoisGraduated and pro for Niagara River Lions
Jalen Coleman-Lands5G6'3"190SophomoreIndianapolis, IndianaTransfer to DePaul
Tracy Abrams13G6'2"185Graduate studentChicago, IllinoisGraduated
Malcolm Hill21G6'6"225SeniorFairview Heights, IllinoisGraduated
Maverick Morgan22C6'10"245SeniorSpringboro, OhioGraduated and pro for GTK Gliwice
Mike Thorne Jr.33C6'11"280Graduate studentFayetteville, North CarolinaGraduated
Alex Austin44G6'4"190SeniorChicago, IllinoisGraduated

Decommits

On January 16, 2016, three-star shooting guard Javon Pickett of Belleville, Illinois verbally committed to attend Illinois in the fall of 2017.[8] After the firing of John Groce, Pickett asked for and received a release of his letter of intent to Illinois.[9] On November 17, 2016, five-star recruit Jeremiah Tilmon announced that he had signed his letter of intent with Illinois the previous day, after a week of press uncertainty.[10] However, after the coaching change at Illinois, Tilmon requested and received a release of his letter of intent with the school.[11]

Recruiting class

During Illinois' final home game against Minnesota on February 28, 2016, Da'Monte Williams verbally committed to attend Illinois in the fall of 2017. Williams is the son of former Illinois guard Frank Williams who led the Fighting Illini to three straight NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2001.[12] On November 9, 2016 Trent Frazier signed a national letter of intent after considering Memphis, Georgia, Kansas State and Seton Hall, among others.[13] On April 27, 2017, four-star point guard Mark Smith, Mr. Illinois Basketball for 2017, announced he would attend Illinois.[14] On June 12, Slovenian bigman Matic Vesel committed to Illinois.[15]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Greg Eboigbodin
F		 Benin City, NG University of Detroit Jesuit High School (MI) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jun 6, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Trent Frazier
PG		 West Palm Beach, FL Wellington (FL) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Aug 20, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Mark Smith
PG		 Edwardsville, IL Edwardsville IL 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Apr 27, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Matic Vesel
F		 Ljubljana, RS Helios Suns Domžale 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 196 lb (89 kg) Jun 12, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Da'Monte Williams
CG		 Peoria, IL Manual (IL) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 29, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Illinois 2017 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  • "2017 Illinois Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  • "Illinois 2017 Basketball Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.

Incoming transfers

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Mark Alstork[16]
PG		 Dayton, OH Thurgood Marshall (OH) / Ball State / Wright State 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) May 24, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Tyler Underwood[17]
PG		 Nacogdoches, TX Nacogdoches (TX) / Oklahoma State 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Mar 22, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

    2018–19 team recruits

    US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
    Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
    Giorgi Bezhanishvili
    PF    		 Vienna, Austria St. Patrick High School (NJ) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Mar 26, 2018 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:3/5 stars   ESPN grade: 74
    Ayo Dosunmu
    PG    		 Chicago, IL Morgan Park High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 172 lb (78 kg) Oct 19, 2017 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 89
    Alan Griffin
    SG    		 White Plains, NY Oak Park and River Forest HS/Archbishop Stepinac HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Mar 2, 2018 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:3/5 stars   ESPN grade: 75
    Samba Kane
    C    		 Dakar, Senegal Regis Jesuit High School/Florida Preparatory Academy 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Mar 9, 2018 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 83
    Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 30  247Sports: 48
    • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
    • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

    Sources:

    • "Illinois 2018 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    • "ESPN Recruiting Nation Basketball". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    • "Illinois 2018 Basketball Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

    Roster

    2017–18 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G 1 Trent Frazier 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)170 lb (77 kg) FrWellington High School (FL) West Palm Beach, Florida
    F 2 Kipper Nichols 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)225 lb (102 kg) RS SoSt. Edward High School (OH) Cleveland, Ohio
    G 3 Te'Jon Lucas 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg) SoWashington High School (WI) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    F 4 Matic Vessel 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)215 lb (98 kg) FrHelios Suns Domžale Ljubljana, Slovenia
    G 10 Drew Cayce (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)165 lb (75 kg) RS SoLa Lumiere School/Creighton Libertyville, Illinois
    F 11 Greg Eboigbodin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg) FrUniversity of Detroit Jesuit High School Benin City, Nigeria
    F 12 Leron Black 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS JrWhite Station High School Memphis, Tennessee
    G 13 Mark Smith 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)225 lb (102 kg) FrEdwardsville High School Edwardsville, Illinois
    G 20 Da'Monte Williams 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg) FrManual High School Peoria, Illinois
    G 23 Aaron Jordan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrPlainfield East High School Plainfield, Illinois
    G 24 Mark Alstork 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)190 lb (86 kg) GSThurgood Marshall (OH) / Ball State / Wright State Dayton, Ohio
    G 32 Tyler Underwood 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)160 lb (73 kg) RS SoNacogdoches High School / Oklahoma State Nacogdoches, Texas
    G 35 Samson Oladimeji (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg) SoWilliam Fremd High School Rolling Meadows, Illinois
    G 41 Clayton Jones (W) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg) RS SrChampaign Central High School/Lake Land Champaign, Illinois
    F 43 Michael Finke 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS JrCentennial High School (IL) Champaign, Illinois
    F 45 Cameron Liss (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS JrGlenbrook North High School Northbrook, Illinois
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster

    Schedule and results

    The 2018 Big Ten Tournament will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[18] Due to the Big East's use of that venue for their conference tournament, the Big Ten Tournament took place one week earlier than usual, ending the week before Selection Sunday.[19] As a result, the Big Ten regular season began in mid-December.[18]

    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    Nov 3, 2017*
    7:00 pm    		 at Eastern Illinois
    Disaster Relief Benefit    		 L 67–80  –
    		  16 – Nichols  9 – Nichols  4 – Nichols  Lantz Arena 
    Charleston, IL
    Regular season
    Nov 10, 2017*
    7:00 pm, BTN+    		 Southern
    Global Sports Invitational    		 W 102–55  1–0
    		  17 – 2 tied  10 – Alstork  4 – 2 tied  State Farm Center (14,637)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 12, 2017*
    5:00 pm, ESPNU    		 UT Martin
    Global Sports Invitational    		 W 77–74  2–0
    		  23 – Black  8 – Black  3 – 3 tied  State Farm Center (11,882)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 17, 2017*
    7:30 pm, BTN    		 DePaul
    Gavitt Tipoff Games    		 W 82–73  3–0
    		  21 – Smith  9 – Jordan  3 – 4 tied  State Farm Center (11,254)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 19, 2017*
    4:00 pm, BTN+    		 Marshall
    Global Sports Invitational    		 W 91–74  4–0
    		  17 – 2 tied  11 – Nichols  5 – Lucas  State Farm Center (10,022)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 22, 2017*
    6:00 pm, BTN+    		 Augustana (IL) W 96–62  5–0
    		  20 – Finke  10 – Finke  6 – Lucas  State Farm Center (10,404)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 24, 2017*
    6:30 pm, BTN+    		 North Carolina Central
    Global Sports Invitational    		 W 86–73  6–0
    		  22 – Finke  8 – Black  6 – Lucas  State Farm Center (11,004)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 28, 2017*
    8:00 pm, ESPN2    		 at Wake Forest
    ACC–Big Ten Challenge    		 L 73–80  6–1
    		  20 – Jordan  7 – 2 tied  4 – Lucas  LJVM Coliseum (5,782)
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Dec 1, 2017
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 at Northwestern L 68–72 OT 6–2
    (0–1)    		  15 – Black  7 – 2 tied  3 – Alstork  Allstate Arena (10,017)
    Rosemont, IL
    Dec 3, 2017
    7:00 pm, BTN    		 Maryland L 91–92 OT 6–3
    (0–2)    		  18 – Black  6 – Nichols  7 – Frazier  State Farm Center (12,735)
    Champaign, IL
    Dec 6, 2017*
    7:00 pm, BTN    		 Austin Peay W 64–57  7–3
    		  17 – Finke  8 – Finke  4 – Lucas  State Farm Center (12,352)
    Champaign, IL
    Dec. 9, 2017*
    11:00 pm, ESPN2    		 vs. UNLV
    UNLV on the Strip    		 L 82–89  7–4
    		  17 – Smith  10 – Nichols  4 – Smith  MGM Grand Garden Arena (9,668)
    Paradise, NV
    Dec 13, 2017*
    7:00 pm, BTN    		 Longwood W 92–45  8–4
    		  22 – Jordan  8 – Jordan  5 – Lucas  State Farm Center (12,387)
    Champaign, IL
    Dec 16, 2017*
    7:00 pm, BTN    		 vs. New Mexico State
    Lou Henson Classic    		 L 69–74  8–5
    		  17 – Black  9 – Finke  4 – Alstork  United Center (5,695)
    Chicago, IL
    Dec 23, 2017*
    7:00 pm, ESPN2    		 vs. Missouri
    Braggin' Rights    		 W 70–64  9–5
    		  22 – Frazier  7 – Black  2 – 2 tied  Scottrade Center (21,289)
    St. Louis, MO
    Dec 30, 2017*
    3:00 pm, BTN+    		 Grand Canyon W 62–58  10–5
    		  20 – Black  11 – Black  3 – Williams  State Farm Center (13,762)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 3, 2018
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 at Minnesota L 67–77  10–6
    (0–3)    		  14 – Black  8 – Williams  6 – Frazier  Williams Arena (11,597)
    Minneapolis, MN
    Jan 6, 2018
    11:00 pm, BTN    		 at Michigan L 69–79  10–7
    (0–4)    		  17 – Nichols  7 – Nichols  6 – Lucas  Crisler Arena (11,888)
    Ann Arbor, MI
    Jan 11, 2018
    7:00 pm, FS1    		 Iowa L 97–104 OT 10–8
    (0–5)    		  27 – Frazier  5 – Nichols  4 – Jordan  State Farm Center (11,326)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 15, 2018
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 at Nebraska L 63–64  10–9
    (0–6)    		  19 – Frazier  10 – Finke  5 – Frazier  Pinnacle Bank Arena (12,597)
    Lincoln, NE
    Jan 19, 2018
    8:00 pm, FS1    		 at Wisconsin L 50–75  10–10
    (0–7)    		  16 – Black  10 – Alstork  5 – Frazier  Kohl Center (17,287)
    Madison, WI
    Jan 22, 2018
    8:00 pm, FS1    		 No. 6 Michigan State L 74–87  10–11
    (0–8)    		  27 – Nichols  3 – 2 tied  4 – Williams  State Farm Center (13,552)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 24, 2018
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 Indiana
    Rivalry    		 W 73–71  11–11
    (1–8)    		  19 – 2 tied  6 – Black  3 – Frazier  State Farm Center (13,003)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 30, 2018
    6:00 pm, BTN    		 Rutgers W 91–60  12–11
    (2–8)    		  19 – Nichols  6 – Nichols  4 – Frazier  State Farm Center (12,612)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 4, 2018
    11:00 pm, FS1    		 at No. 17 Ohio State L 67–75  12–12
    (2–9)    		  19 – Alstork  4 – Black  4 – Frazier  Value City Arena (18,743)
    Columbus, OH
    Feb 8, 2018
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 Wisconsin L 69–78  12–13
    (2–10)    		  32 – Frazier  11 – Black  4 – Lucas  State Farm Center (13,062)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 11, 2018
    6:00 pm, BTN    		 Penn State L 52–74  12–14
    (2–11)    		  18 – Black  6 – 3 tied  2 – 4 tied  State Farm Center (12,840)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 14, 2018
    7:30 pm, BTN    		 at Indiana
    Rivalry    		 L 68–78  12–15
    (2–12)    		  20 – Black  7 – Black  5 – Frazier  Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222)
    Bloomington, IN
    Feb 18, 2018
    2:30 pm, BTN    		 Nebraska W 72–66  13–15
    (3–12)    		  28 – Black  7 – 3 tied  6 – Lucas  State Farm Center (15,544)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 20, 2018
    6:00 pm, ESPN    		 at No. 2 Michigan State L 61–81  13–16
    (3–13)    		  20 – Black  6 – Nichols  5 – Frazier  Breslin Center (14,797)
    East Lansing, MI
    Feb 22, 2018
    6:00 pm, FS1    		 No. 9 Purdue L 86–93  13–17
    (3–14)    		  28 – Black  6 – Lucas  6 – Frazier  State Farm Center (14,673)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 25, 2018
    2:00 pm, BTN    		 at Rutgers W 75–62  14–17
    (4–14)    		  19 – Finke  8 – Williams  4 – Frazier  Louis Brown Athletic Center 
    Piscataway, NJ
    Big Ten Tournament
    Feb 28, 2018
    5:30 pm, BTN    		 (13) vs. (12) Iowa
    First round    		 L 87–96  14–18
    		  Nichols – 31  4 – Finke  8 – Lucas  Madison Square Garden 
    New York City, NY
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Central Time.

    Awards and honors

    In-season awards

    Trent Frazier

    • Big Ten Freshman of the Week, December 26, 2017
    • Big Ten Freshman of the Week, February 12, 2018

    Postseason awards

    Trent Frazier

    • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
    • All-Big Ten Freshmen Team

    Leron Black

    • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media)

    References

    1. ↑ "Illinois vs. Iowa - Game Recap - February 28, 2018 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
    2. ↑ Ryan, Shannon. "Illinois fires men's basketball coach John Groce after five seasons". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
    3. ↑ "Illinois fires John Groce after 37–53 Big Ten mark in five seasons". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
    4. ↑ Smith, Erick (March 18, 2017). "Illinois hires Oklahoma State's Brad Underwood as new coach". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
    5. ↑ "Report: Illinois basketball, assistant Jamall Walker reach deal to keep Walker on staff under new coach Brad Underwood". Land of 10. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
    6. ↑ Ryan, Shannon. "Illinois adds former Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua to coaching staff". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
    7. ↑ "Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood adds 2 to staff, names Ronald 'Chin' Coleman assistant". Land of 10. 2017-04-12. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
    8. ↑ Zuvanich, Adam (January 18, 2016). "Belleville East's Pickett pledges to the University of Illinois". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
    9. ↑ "Illini grant releases for Jeremiah Tilmon, Javon Pickett". The Champaign Room. 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
    10. ↑ Ryan, Shannon (November 17, 2016). "Illinois' signing of five-star Jeremiah Tilmon has major implications". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
    11. ↑ "Illinois basketball recruit Jeremiah Tilmon says Illini have granted him his release". Land of 10. 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
    12. ↑ "Illinois lands DaMonte Williams, No. 8 shooting guard in 2017 class". ESPN. February 28, 2016. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
    13. ↑ Wagner, Jodie; Lichtenstein, Adam (November 9, 2016). "Wellington basketball star Trent Frazier signs with Illinois". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
    14. ↑ Ryan, Shannon. "Mark Smith, 2017's Mr. Basketball from Edwardsville, chooses Illinois". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
    15. ↑ "Illini add 2017 Slovenian big Matic Vesel". Scout.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
    16. ↑ Vainisi, Jim (May 24, 2017). "Mark Alstork commits to Illinois Basketball over LSU, South Carolina, Pittsburgh". SB Nation. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
    17. ↑ Voit, Gordon (March 22, 2017). "Package deal: Illini get Tyler Underwood in addition to Brad Underwood". WAND. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
    18. 1 2 "Big Ten tournament at MSG in 2018". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
    19. ↑ "Izzo concerned about '18 Big Ten tournament in New York". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
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