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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini starting lineup with Tevian Jones

By Rees Woodcock

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 30: The Lou Henson signature is seen on the court before the start of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Ayo Dosunmu

Illinois has landed a solid class of 2018 that continues to rise in the recruiting rankings. This class is led by Ayo Dosunmu.

Dosunmu is a 6-foot-4, 172-pound guard from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is rated as a five-star recruit who is the No. 26 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 4 combo guard in the nation. As soon as Dosunmu hits the floor, he will start immediately for the Illini.

The big question I had is where Dosunmu will line up. He can do just about everything on the court, but I think the best position for him to help this team is at the No. 1 guard spot. He would be the main ball-handler. I think he would thrive in this role.

Backup: Da’Monte Williams

Da’Monte Williams was used as a utility guard last season. He didn’t have a defined role on the team and was used when he was needed. I think he should get a bigger role this season.

I have Williams as the backup No. 1 guard. He can handle the ball and isn’t bad at distributing it as well. Last season he averaged 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. I could see those numbers increasing with more responsibility put on his shoulders.

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