As a freshman, he was the primary backup point guard to Tracy Abrams. He played 12.2 minutes per game and that should have been the ceiling for him as far as playing time is concerned.
Well, the last two seasons he has been our starting point guard due to Abrams getting injured. In both seasons Abrams fell to injuries making the point guard situation extremely thin.
Abrams is back healthy and Tate is now back in the role he was supposed to be the entire time.
This season, as a senior, Tate should be in the third rotation for the Illini.