Time to reload. Love the core of Luke Goode, RJ Melendez, Jayden Epps, Ty Rodgers, Sencire Harris and Dain Dainja to build around if they all want to come back. If Hawkins doesn’t wind up in the draft he could be all-league as a senior, but I suspect he’s gone. Can’t see Terrence coming back. Need to go portaling for a point guard and some shooting. Wouldn’t mind another frontcourt piece as well if we lose Hawkins, as I thought we lacked in that department at times this year. I think this offseason will be telling for the staff — are we able to keep guys like Melendez, Rodgers, Epps and Dainja around to grow into 4-year leaders, or will they hit the portal for better opportunities, necessitating we do the same? I think it’s clear transfers can plug holes, but in Underwood’s system / culture can’t necessarily be relied upon to be the team leaders with no prior experience at Illinois. I think RJ has the opportunity to develop into one hell of a college basketball player and could lead us in scoring next year. He started to prove it on the defensive end of the floor this year, and the kid finally played the way we all hoped he would in the last 2-3 weeks of the season. If Rodgers can work on his jumpshot this offseason, he has everything else in his bag to be our best player as a sophomore. Epps could be a significant piece next year as well. Excited for the future, and all things considered, really happy we went dancing in a serious “rebuilding” year.