‘BTPowerhouse 25’ - No. 25 Adam Miller

In the months leading up to the 2020-’21 college basketball season, BTPowerhouse will be releasing a new series called the ‘BTPowerhouse 25,’ which features the Top 25 players in the Big Ten as voted by members of the staff. All players set to be on Big Ten rosters for next season were eligible during the staff vote with their top selection receiving 25 points and their 25th and final selection receiving 1 point.

Today's edition will take a brief look at Adam Miller of the Illinois Fighting Illini, who came in tied at No. 25 in the rankings. The Illini are hoping he can be a key piece on what should be a top 10 team nationally.

'BTPowerhouse 25' - No. 25 Adam Miller:

• Eligibility: Freshman
• Career Totals: N/A
• 2019-’20 Averages: N/A
• Positional Role: Shooting Guard

Since Brad Underwood arrived in Champaign in 2017, fans have been wondering when the Illini would start reeling in elite in-state talent. The program was able to do it with Ayo Dosunmu in 2018 and Miller is the next in line. Fans hope Miller can fill in for Dosunmu when he takes his talents to the next level. He is rated as a four-star prospect and a top 40 prospect nationally by 247Sports.

-Player Strengths

As one might expect given Miller’s ratings, he brings quite a skill set to Illinois. He has decent length and athleticism that should allow him to contribute on both sides of the floor and is quick enough to defend multiple positions on the floor.

But Miller’s biggest strength is his game outside the arc. He should immediately be able to help Illinois from deep, which should be a huge boost to a team that finished 310th nationally in three-point percentage. And if Miller can build from there, he has the chance to be a really special player for Underwood.

-Areas for Improvement

Obviously, as a freshman, there will be a lot of areas for Miller to grow as a player. That might sound generic, but it’s the truth. His game will grow exponentially in the months to come. Expect him to focus much of his time on getting bigger, stronger, and better at taking contact around the hoop. Miller could also improve as a passer, which will open up even more things for him offensively.

-Player Projection

With so many returning contributors from last year’s team, Miller will have the luxury of some time on his side. There will be no rush for him to be a major contributor or carry the team through big moments. After all, Illinois already has Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn on the roster and they will fill that role.

However, Miller seems likely to replace Andres Feliz in the lineup and fill out what should be a dynamic backcourt for the Illini. Expect him to compliment Dosunmu’s ability to drive inside with his long-range shooting. It could be a really difficult thing to defend. If things go right, he should have a shot at earning All-Big Ten Freshmen team honors.

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'BTPowerhouse 25' Rankings:

• #27-28 - Players That Just Missed The Cut
• #25 - Adam Miller (Illinois)
• #25 - to be continued ...