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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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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Kipper Nichols
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Kipper Nichols /

No. 3 Guard/Forward

Starter – Kipper Nichols

Throughout the beginning of last season, I was hard on Kipper Nichols. He wasn’t playing up to what I was expecting even though some of that had to do with an injury. But, toward the end of the year, he came alive and did some great things.

Nichols finished last season averaging 10 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. His emergence as a viable starting option on this Illini team was refreshing. I think he has a legit shot at starting at the No. 3 spot for Illinois this upcoming campaign.

Backup – Tevian Jones

Illinois also snagged a huge commitment from Tevian Jones for the class of 2018. He is a 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing player from Culver City High School in Culver City, California. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 94 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 9 player in the state of California.

I contemplated moving Jones to the starting No. 4 spot and Okoro to the No. 5 spot, but then I went with the more conservative option. I think Jones splits time with Nicholas at the No. 3 spot for the Illini. He is going to make an impact, and I wouldn’t doubt if he takes the starting job eventually.

Backup – Alan Griffin

Another underrated player in the class of 2018 for the Illini is Alan Griffin. This kid was one of the best players in the state of New York and eventually became ranked in the nation. He finished as a three-star recruit who is the No. 175 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 4 player in the state of New York.

I think Griffin could come in and see minutes year one. I don’t know how much playing time he will get, but I could see him playing either the No. 2 or No. 3 for the Illini. He has great size but can shoot the ball well. He is a very versatile player.

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