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Brad Underwood updates plan for Terrence Shannon Jr. following reinstatement
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Brad Underwood says Terrence Shannon Jr. will not start on Sunday when No. 14 Illinois hosts Rutgers. But, after being officially reinstated by the university on Friday, Shannon was available for the Illini team practice Friday night. His role in Sunday’s contest will be determined “by feel.”
A federal judge granted Shannon’s request for a temporary restraining order on Friday, paving the way for the senior guard to rejoin the Illini. Shannon was suspended on Dec. 28 following an arrest on a felony rape charge for an alleged incident in Lawrence, Kansas.
“It’s obviously still a very serious, serious situation,” Underwood said Saturday when he met with reporters.
The university confirmed in a statement on Friday that Shannon had been fully reinstated. Underwood said he was informed by Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman of the decision prior to Friday’s practice, so Shannon participated in what was a light day.
Underwood mentioned several times there’s an integration process they’re working through with adding Shannon back to the lineup, and he intends to be “fair” to everyone involved.
“Terrence has been gone for six games, he’s been gone for three weeks, and there’s an integration process that takes place there. He has been away from the team. He was allowed to take part in individual workouts, continue his conditioning, continue lifting, … but there’s obviously game shape and play.”
Through 11 games this season, Shannon has averaged 21.7 points a game while shooting at 51% from the field and 41% from 3. He’s also averaging 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and more than two combined blocks and steals a game. The last time Shannon took the floor for Illinois — Dec. 22 against Missouri — he poured in 30 points and grabbed 11 boards.
From a basketball standpoint, Illinois should get a shot in the arm by reinserting Shannon into the lineup. Nevertheless, it’ll be an adjustment.
“We’ve added some things offensively. Getting him up to speed on some of those things,” Underwood said. “The challenge as a basketball coach is we’ve been in a nice flow offensively and we don’t want to upset the apple cart, so to speak.”
Tipoff on Sunday is set for 1 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.