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Illinois Basketball: Starting lineup with Matic Vesel for 2017-18

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; A general view of the court as both teams warmup before the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; A general view of the court as both teams warmup before the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; A view as the ball goes in the basket during practice the day before the East Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; A view as the ball goes in the basket during practice the day before the East Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Mark Smith

The highest rated recruit coming out of the class of 2017 for the Illini was Mark Smith. Smith was a four-star recruit who was the No. 78 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 18 point guard in the nation. Illinois snagged this talented player from the grasps of the blue blood programs.

Smith is likely to be the starter at the No. 2 spot on the team as a true freshman. He showed what type of talent he had in high school and even won the coveted Illinois Mr. Basketball award as well. He will be a superstar for the Illini immediately.

Backup: Da’Monte Williams

The third member of the great trio of guards coming from the class of 2017 is Da’Monte Williams. He was a three-star recruit who wasn’t ranked in the top 100 but was the No. 37 shooting guard in the class of 2017. He is a wildcard for this program, and I am excited to see what he can do on the floor.

Williams has been committed to this Illinois program from day one and he has stuck with his commitment. Fans are talking about how great the rest of the class will be, but Williams could end up being pretty special himself. Look for him to provide crucial minutes off the bench this season.

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