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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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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: Tyler Cook #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes works against Greg Eboigbodin #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: Tyler Cook #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes works against Greg Eboigbodin #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

No. 5 Forward/Center

Starter – Greg Eboigbodin

Greg Eboigbodin showed some signs of being a really talented player last season in the Illinois lineup. There were times he would shine with a great defensive possession or the touch he had around the hoop. But, there would also be times where I wasn’t sure if he is a Big Ten type of player.

This upcoming season is going to be huge for the career of Eboigbodin. I see him possibly getting the starting nod at the No. 5 for the Illini considering he is the most experienced big man on the roster right now. Last season, he averaged 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. I see him improving both of those stats. I also hope he improves his 2.1 fouls per game as well. He needs to stay on the floor.

Backup – Samba Kane

I am really excited to see what Samba Kane can bring to this Illinois basketball team. He is a 6-foot-10, 205-pound big man who has only been in the United States for a few years now. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 277 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 40 center in the nation.

Next: Ranking the last 10 Illini recruiting classes

Depending on what Underwood thinks of Kane, I could see him getting decent minutes this season. He is extremely athletic for his size. I like what he brings to the table, but there is no doubt this kid is raw. I could see him being important for the Illini, though.

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