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Illinois Basketball: Illini projected starting lineup for next season

By Rees Woodcock

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 26: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood prior to the Big Ten Super Saturday College Basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 26, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 26: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood prior to the Big Ten Super Saturday College Basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 26, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 18: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball while being guarded by D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at the Kohl Center on February 18, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter – Trent Frazier (JR.)

One of my favorite players in the history of the Illinois basketball program is Trent Frazier. I like how this kid plays because he can shoot the ball without fear. That is one of the reasons why I think he comes back for his junior campaign as the starter at the No. 2 spot for the Illini.

Frazier had a sophomore season that was kind of confusing at times. To me, there was a power struggle among some of the players. But, Frazier still finished the year averaging 13.6 points, 2.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He was a big part of this team. He also shot 40.9-percent from three-point range, which is a big number. I can’t wait to have him back for another year with the Orange and Blue.

Backup – Alan Griffin (SO.)

Illinois fans didn’t get to see a ton of Alan Griffin this season. His playing time was sporadic despite his ability to put the ball in the hoop. You could see why this kid was a wanted recruit coming out of high school. He had flashes of great scoring for the Illini.

Griffin only played eight minutes per game this season. But, during that time, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He was 38.7-percent from the field as well. His three-point shooting wasn’t good at 30.2-percent, but I think we can all see the potential in this kid. I think he is a backup to Frazier next season and gets some valuable minutes.

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