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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini starting lineup with Francis Okoro

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 05: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament between the San Francisco Dons and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 88-60. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter – Ayo Dosunmu

The No. 2 guard spot will likely go to the best player coming out of the class of 2018, Ayo Dosunmu. Dosunmu has been the biggest get in Brad Underwood’s short career with the Illini so far. Illinois beat out a lot of other big-time programs for Dosunmu’s commitment.

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. 27 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 1 player in the state of Illinois.

I think Dosunmu will step into the No. 2 guard role and do great things immediately. This kid is a superstar and will show that with the Illini. He can handle the ball at times but will be more of a playmaker on this Illinois team.

Backup – Da’Monte Williams

Not many people are paying attention to Da’Monte Williams, but don’t sleep on this kid. He came into the Illinois basketball program last season as a true freshman and did some good things. He finished averaging 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Look for Williams to make an impact as a primary backup on this team. He should be more confident in what he is doing on the floor. I like the idea of Williams seeing an increased role in this lineup because he can do everything on the court.

Backup – Aaron Jordan

Aaron Jordan should share time with Williams, and he could possibly play some minutes at the No. 3 spot as well. He had a great junior campaign which saw him average 7.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He will play a role in the Illini’s success this upcoming season.

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