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Illinois Basketball: Updated Illini projected starting lineup for 2019-2020

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tevian Jones (5) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) high five fans in the tunnel that leads to the locker room at the conclusion of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 5, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tevian Jones (5) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) high five fans in the tunnel that leads to the locker room at the conclusion of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 5, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 13: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) goes up for a shot during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on March 13, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 13: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) goes up for a shot during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on March 13, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 1 Guard

Starter – Ayo Dosunmu

The No. 1 guard on the team who should be bringing the ball up the court and having the ball in his hands more than anyone is Ayo Dosunmu. He is coming back for his sophomore campaign ready to prove that he is a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Ayo finished this past season averaging 13.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Those are solid numbers for a true freshman and they got him noticed more and more throughout the year. He would have been a top of the second round pick in the NBA Draft this year, but I think he could get up toward the top of the draft in 2020. I see him being the leader on this Illini team and taking us back to the postseason.

Backup – Andres Feliz

Andres Feliz was, arguably, the biggest junior college pickup in program history. This kid put up great numbers at the JUCO level and continued putting up solid numbers when he came to Illinois.

I see Feliz being the primary backup to Ayo this upcoming season. He has the skill to be a starter on many teams in college basketball, though. That is how good I think this kid is. He put up 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season. I look for him to continue that great play this year as well.

Backup – Recruiting Need

While I love the No. 1 guard position with Ayo and Feliz as the starter and backup, there needs to be an addition here from the class of 2019 or 2020. Illinois needs another guard because both Ayo and Feliz will be leaving after this season. That would leave the Illini with nothing at the No. 1 guard spot. That is a scary thought.

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