Illinois newcomers shine in exhibition season opener

Jon Groce's Illinois basketball team kicked off the Big Ten college basketball exhibition season with a commanding 101-64 win over McKendree Thursday night at the State Farm Center. More important than the final score, this was a chance for fans to see how this Illinois team would fill the void left by the departure of senior guards Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson.

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Junior guard Tracy Abrams scored a game-high 16 points, but it was several newcomers who impressed the most for Groce's club.

Rayvonte Rice, who sat out the entire 2012-13 season after transferring from Drake, and true freshman Austin Colbert were the most explosive players on the floor Thursday night.

Check out Colbert's back-to-back dunks here:

What's better than one dunk? How about two! Illinois freshman Austin Colbert throws it down… #orvillemoment – http://t.co/QVc4CNeccC

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) October 25, 2013

Incoming freshman Kendrick Nunn was also impressive in the win. His second-half breakaway dunk is something that Illinois basketball fans should get used to seeing in the upcoming season.

DUNK ALERT! @IlliniHoops freshman Kendrick Nunn with a thunderous one-handed breakaway slam! #orvillemoment – http://t.co/jmpXFAP0ui

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) October 25, 2013

The Fighting Illini return to action on Nov. 3 when they host Northwood (MI) at 6 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Digital Network.

Check out a complete list of the 2013 Big Ten men's basketball exhibition games that will be shown on BTDN: