The Illinois basketball season officially starts Sept. 29. Each day leading up to it, beat writer SCOTT RICHEY answers a question about Brad Underwood's first Illini team:
Who starts the Nov. 10 season opener against Southern?
Get ready for a four-guard lineup on a Friday night and the debut of Underwood's up-tempo style. Michael Finke will hold down the high post as the lone big man on the court, where his passing skills and pick-and-pop ability will be utilized. Then come the guards. Look for Te'Jon Lucas at the point, Mark Smith and Mark Alstork off the ball on the wing but able to act as secondary playmakers and then Kipper Nichols to bring some physicality to that fourth guard spot against a Southern team that won't challenge the Illini with size of their own.