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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini starting lineup with Adonis De La Rosa

By Rees Woodcock

KENT, OH - JANUARY 30: Kent State Golden Flashes center Adonis De La Rosa (1) celebrates after scoring with a jump shot during the second half of the men's college basketball game between the Buffalo Bulls and Kent State Golden Flashes on January 30, 2018, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KENT, OH - JANUARY 30: Kent State Golden Flashes center Adonis De La Rosa (1) celebrates after scoring with a jump shot during the second half of the men's college basketball game between the Buffalo Bulls and Kent State Golden Flashes on January 30, 2018, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 08: Jordan Brand Classic Home Team guard Ayo Dosunmu (24) during the second half of the Jordan Brand Classic on April 8, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 08: Jordan Brand Classic Home Team guard Ayo Dosunmu (24) during the second half of the Jordan Brand Classic on April 8, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Ayo Dosunmu

The No. 1 recruit for the Illini in the class of 2018 was Ayo Dosunmu. He was recruited by just about every team in the country, but Illinois managed to keep him home. He is now going to be one of the main options on the team.

Dosunmu was a five-star recruit in the class of 2018. He was ranked as the No. 30 player in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Illinois. The fact Underwood was able to snag him proves how good of a recruiter he really is.

I see Dosunmu being the starting No. 2 guard for the Illini this season. He can do everything on the basketball court, and this will help Illinois win a lot more than they have in the past. The talent level has risen in Champaign.

Backup: Da’Monte Williams

I am curious if a few players can take a step forward with their games this upcoming season. One of those players is Da’Monte Williams.

Williams came in with some injuries and played his first season with the Illini sparingly. He only received 16.9 minutes per game but in that time, he averaged 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. This season, I look for Williams to continue to improve. He will be an important piece coming off the bench for the Illini as a backup to Dosunmu.

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