It’s been 24 days since the Illinois men’s basketball team opened practice, and the team finally gets to face someone other than itself Thursday, when McKendree University comes to the State Farm Center for the first of the Illini’s two exhibitions.

“It’s always refreshing to know that you’re playing someone than yourself,” sophomore Mike LaTulip said. “Knowing it’s not gonna be the same matchups you see every day in practice and finally get new people.”

LaTulip, who plays both point guard and shooting guard, said he’s largely been matched up with junior Tracy Abrams, Illinois’ starting point guard the last two seasons.

“We’re usually on opposite teams going at it,” LaTulip said. “I take it as a blessing. Tracy’s a heck of a player. To be able to go against someone like that every day, I’d say it’s paying dividends for me.”

LaTulip, a walk-on who appeared in just 16 games last season, has made clear steps forward. He scored 15 points in the Orange and Blue Scrimmage last week, including going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.

Illinois head coach John Groce said there is “no question” LaTulip will be in the playing rotation against McKendree.

“His body of work between Sept. 27 and (Wednesday) has been good. It’s been solid,” Groce said. “That’s what we’re looking at.”

Through the first four weeks of practice, fifth-year transfer Jon Ekey has graded out as the top player for the Illini throughout the first four weeks of practice, Groce said. He said Ekey and junior Nnanna Egwu are the only guaranteed starters as of Wednesday’s practice.

“Nnanna in particular has obviously stood out. Ekey as well,” Groce said. “The perimeter is what’s up in the air tomorrow.”

Competing for the three spots are likely Abrams, LaTulip, senior Joseph Bertrand, junior transfer Rayvonte Rice and freshmen Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn.

Ekey said the increased competition will benefit the Illini in practice.

“So far, we’ve just been switching the lineups every day and not really knowing who’s going to be playing with who,” Ekey said. “Now, having some rotations and seeing who will be getting a little bit more time, it will make it more competitive. Guys will now be fighting for more spots and more minutes. It makes practice even more competitive.”

Thursday will be the first time Ekey, Rice and the five freshmen will compete for the Illini. Ekey said he’s a little bit nervous, but there are always nerves when you play for a new team.

“It’s exciting,” Ekey said. “We’ve been going for what seems like a while now, against each other battling every day, so it’s exciting to finally get to go against somebody else.”

Johnathan can be reached at [email protected] and @jhett93.