Illini Inquirer publisher Jeremy Werner weighs in on Illini basketball, football, baseball, golf and more.

1. I kinda like the situation for the Illinois basketball returners — all two of them. Of course, more has to play out with Illinois likely adding at least two more significant pieces to the 2024 roster: a big man and a starting-caliber playmaker on the wing. But I’m liking how this roster is shaking out for Ty Rodgers and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn.

I’m an unabashed fan of Rodgers. I just love everything about his approach, his demeanor and his self-awareness of who he is as a player. I just think he’s a winner, and I’d want him on my team. So I’m glad for Illinois that he stuck around through this great roster reset and gave Illinois at least some player continuity from a winning culture. Rodgers has the chance to be a real leader of the team next season and the season after.