Assuming Trent, Ayo, Giorgi and Feliz hover around 25 mins each and Kofi around 20 ( I think everyone elses PT is really up in the air at this point)
Facts:
1. Last year Illinois Basketball played 202 minutes per game (due to a handful of OT games). Or approximately 40.5 minutes at each position.
2. Ayo averaged 31.1, Trent 30.6, Giorgi 26.2, and Andres 22.3 minutes per game.
3. Trent would have matched Ayo's minutes per game and exceeded Ayo's Points per game if not for his flirtation with injury.
4. If Ayo averages less than 31 minutes per game something is not right and there will be serious question marks about him making it to the NBA draft, let alone the first round or lottery picks. Ayo's our best player by a long shot and he's going to be on the floor.
5. Giorgi's minutes were limited only by his inability to stay out of foul trouble. He is not as good as Ayo, but relative to positional talent around him he's better. With Kofi being mixed in Giorgi will not be "needed" as much but if Giorgi can find a way to play alongside Kofi, Giorgi will again see his minutes capped only by his ability to stay out of foul trouble.
My Opinions:
Ayo will average 32 minutes per game.
Giorgi will average 30 minutes per game.
Trent will average 30 minutes per game. - As long as he continues shooting 40+% and remains one our top defenders Trent needs to be on the floor.
Andres will average 19 minutes per game. I expect his ability to create for his teammates to improve, as well as his 3pt shooting. However, with Trent being 6-1 and Feliz being just 6-2, and with the expectations of improvement from Alan, Tevian, Kipper and the addition of Kofi I doubt Andres minutes will increase this season. Of course if Andres starts shooting the 3 at 40% we'll probably see a lot of Ayo+Trent+Feliz lineups this year but without the 3 I don't think we see that nearly as much as we did last year.
Kofi will average 25 minutes per game. I expect that Kofi will be slightly more limited than Giorgi was last year, mainly because we have Giorgi and therefore don't "need" him quite as much as we needed Giorgi last year. That being said I think Kofi will exceed Giorgi's defensive/rebounding abilitys from last year easily and wont struggle as much with fouls. Partly because of Kofi's size and talent, but mainly because he should have more help inside when from Giorgi then Giorgi got from any of his teammates last year. The other Illini players should also be more familiar with the system and more able to rotate and help out on defense.
**I am less confident in what's below**
If you're counting I've got
Center: Kofi + Giorgi taking all 40.5 minutes
1/2: Ayo + Trent + Andres taking all 81 minutes
4: Giorgi playing 14.5 minutes here
That leaves 40.5 minutes at the 3 that I expect Da'Monte, Alan, Kipper, and Tevian to fight over. (~10.1 min per player). Also, 26 minutes at the 4 that I expect Alan, Kipper, Tevian, and BBV to fight over. (~6.5 min per player)
Alan: 23 minutes (mostly at the 3). I predict Alan will see the most improvement and will earn more minutes. Alan could be our 3rd starter.
Da'Monte: 18 minutes (mostly at the 3). I predict Da'Monte will be used primarily for his defensive abilities but wont see much offensive improvement.
Tevian: 12 minutes (mostly at the 4). I predict that Tevian has some huge games both early and late in the season but has a little funk in the middle. But he'll be a star before he leaves Illinois.
Kipper: 9 minutes (mostly at the 4). I predict Good Kipper makes a few rare appearances but that he is primarily turned into a defensive tool at the 4 spot.
BBV: 4.5 minutes (mostly at the 4). I'd love to be wrong on this one but I just haven't seen BBV play so I have a hard time allocating more time to him. If he excels I think Kipper/Tev's minutes drop accordingly.
Hamlin: REDSHIRT - Underwood probably wont but he should.