Front Line for 2008 is Questionable

The Illini have a front line that is very questionable for next season. Let's look at the alternatives:

Mike Tisdale returns for his sophomore year, needed additional weight and muscle to be a factor rebounding next season. Tisdale is almost certain to start if he shows reasonable improvement from his freshman season.

Mike Davis returns for his sophomore year, and like the other Mike, needs to hit the weights in the off-season so he can be a factor on the boards. Davis has a nice offensive game, and could be a nice player next season.

Rodney Alexander is considering his options after not being utilized last season. This will be his senior year and final year of eligibility if he returns with the Illini.

Calvin Brock has graduated but has one more year of eligibility due to being redshirted his first year. He might return for grad school, or may move on.

Dominique Keller joins the Illini as a Junior College transfer, and should add size, rebounding and scoring to the team if he plays.

Bill Cole hopes to return from his injury, which was something like a stress fracture in his leg. Many Illini players have had issues similar this, presumably due to the team's practices being tough on the players.

Richard Semrau is expected to return to the Illini or transfer to another program, after sitting on the bench last season.

Stan Simpson joins the team as a freshman out of the Chicago Public League. Simpson has been considered a project, and is not likely to get playing time in his first year.

Brian Carlwell is looking to transfer to a new school, but nothing else has been announced yet.

So basically the guys that can be etched into the line-up right now for the front line are Tisdale and Davis, with Keller as a possibility coming off the bench. I think it is highly likely the Illini will play three guards next season.