CHAMPAIGN — Illinois' 16-deep roster counts just three newcomers. Walk-on transfers Drew Cayce (Creighton) and Clayton Jones (South Plains College/Lake Land College) already have at least a year of some level of college basketball under their belt. That leaves freshman point guard Te'Jon Lucas as the only player experiencing all college basketball has to offer.
Returning so many veterans, including Tracy Abrams and Mike Thorne Jr. now on their sixth respective years, makes for an interesting dynamic in the Illini gym. A dynamic that takes on a whole new form now that official practices for the 2016-17 season are underway.