On November 7th in Champaign, Sencire Harris spent the duration of the Illinois basketball team’s season opener on the bench. The sophomore guard didn’t take off his warmup shirt all night. That’s because Harris wasn’t planning on playing against Eastern Illinois – or at all during the 2023-24 season. Instead, he’s redshirting with the future in mind, aiming to gain strength and size to become a more impactful player down the road. Illinois coach Brad Underwood acknowledged Harris’s potential for growth and expressed confidence in his value as a teammate and his determination to improve.
Harris’s decision to redshirt comes after playing in all 33 games last season for Illinois, making seven starts and exhibiting defensive prowess with his energy and averaging 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds.
Prior to the team’s Spain trip in August, Illinois was ahead of schedule in determining their offensive strategy. The experience playing against Kansas, and receiving further insight into their offensive potential helped the team establish their pace and refine offensive strategies for the upcoming season.
However, despite gaining clarity about their offense, Underwood expressed concerns about the team’s defensive performance. He stressed the importance of guarding and rebounding, pointing to mistakes that were made during the Kansas game.
In terms of running the offense, Underwood downplayed the significance of a “primary ball handler,” as he believes that Ty Rodgers, Marcus Domask, Coleman Hawkins, and Terrence Shannon Jr. will demonstrate versatility in running the team’s offense.
The game against EIU marked the second consecutive season opener that Illinois and EIU shared. The athletic director of EIU expressed the hope that playing against Illinois will benefit both programs and ultimately make EIU more competitive.
EIU faces the challenge of rebuilding its roster through transfers this season after enduring numerous departures. However, the team’s athletic director expressed optimism about their ability to attract and retain talent.
Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.
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