This offseason has ushered in a total changing of the guard (pun intended) for the Illini backcourt. Fifth-year stalwarts Da’Monte Williams and Trent Frazier, grad transfer Alfonso Plummer, and other guards Brandin Podziemski and Andre Curbelo have all moved on.
Underwood and Co. immediately got to work in the transfer portal, targeting highly regarded transfers Brandon Murray (LSU) and Terrence Shannon (Texas Tech), ultimately landing the latter and sparking a talent reload in the backcourt. Shannon has been accompanied by decorated high school recruits Skyy Clark (no.