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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini roster with two scholarships remaining

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders perform during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan State Spartans on January 22, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders perform during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan State Spartans on January 22, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Te’Jon Lucas (3) during the first half of the College Basketball Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 25, 2018, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Te’Jon Lucas (3) during the first half of the College Basketball Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 25, 2018, at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Te’Jon Lucas

This past season was up and down for guard Te’Jon Lucas. He was the starter to begin the season but ended up getting benched for true freshman sensation, Trent Frazier. After a few game suspension, Lucas made it back to the team to play pretty well. He even started alongside Frazier for the final three games last season.

Heading into next season, I could see Lucas being the starting No. 1 guard for the Illini. This would normally be Frazier but since there were a few departures, I think Lucas would be best suited for the No. 1 guard right now. He finished last season averaging 21.4 minutes, 5.7 points, 3.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. I would hope he could at least duplicate that production next season as well.

Backup: Da’Monte Williams

I have the backup to Lucas being Da’Monte Williams. When Williams had the ball last season the game seemed to go pretty smoothly. He is a basketball player in the truest form. He can do everything on the basketball court including distributing the ball.

Williams averaged 16.9 minutes, 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.7 steals per game. I think the best option for the Illini would be to have Williams behind Lucas. This frees up other guards to play in their natural roles.

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