In Will Riley, the Illini add another talented player to the mix that is a 3-level scorer. The 5-star wing can play the 2, 3, or 4 offensively and can play with the ball or off the ball as a catch and shoot guy. Riley can score in bunches, hitting 3's, pull-ups, and floaters at a high level.
Defensively, he has great positional size and length which allow him to get deflections and block or alter shots.
His biggest issues will be strength and a 4-month crash course with Illini Strength and Conditioning Coach Adam Fletcher will be important.
The other issue will be keeping the other players happy. Riley wants to play, but so does Tre White and Ty Rodgers. With 10 players projected to get minutes, Brad Underwood will have to tweak his style of riding starters for 35-38 minutes and trust his bench.
566 Illini Slay Trojans
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565 Illini Defeat Hoosiers 71-51 in Boswell’s Return
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2.13.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Hauck new DC & Pete Babcock
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564 Illini Lead Evaporates in 92-90 OT Loss to Wisconsin
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563 Inside Scoop on New Illini DC Bobby Hauck
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562 Illini Fall 85-82 to MSU in OT
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2.6.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Ayo Traded & Football Coaching Openings
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561 Illini Smash Northwestern Push Win Streak to 12
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560 Illini Defensive Coordinator Search
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559 - #9 Illini Cruise Over #5 Nebraska 78-69
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1.30.26 - Keaton Wagler's Historic Season & More
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558 Illini Win Lifts the Streak to 10
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557 Sturdy & Stevens on the Keaton Wagler Game
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556 Illini Defeat Purdue 88-82 in the Keaton Wagler Game
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1.23.26 - Illinois vs Purdue - Top 15 Showdown
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