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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini starting lineup for the 2020-2021 season

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Alan Griffin (0) look on during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 10, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Alan Griffin (0) look on during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 10, 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 14: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) goes up for a shot during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes on March 14, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 14: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) goes up for a shot during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes on March 14, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 1 Guard

Starter – Trent Frazier

I have Trent Frazier as the starting No. 1 guard for the Illini when 2020-2021 rolls around. While I have him as the starting No. 1 guard, there is no guarantee he will even be around still. Depending on how well he plays this upcoming season, Frazier could depart for the NBA.

Frazier had to share the spotlight with Ayo Dosunmu this past season, and he will have to share it one more year. With Ayo departing after his sophomore campaign, Frazier should have one more season to showcase his talents. He will be called upon to be the leader of this program once again.

Backup – Da’Monte Williams

It has been an interesting career for Da’Monte Williams. He came into the Illinois program with big shoes to fill but hasn’t lived up to what the Illini fans remember his father being. That is an unfair expectation of Da’Monte, though. He is a player who can do a little bit of everything on the basketball court.

The 2020-2021 season would be the senior campaign for both Frazier and Williams. These two seniors are going to be the heart and soul of this team. I look for Williams to develop nicely this upcoming season and then really display his talents during his final year in Champaign.

Backup – Scholarship Open (1)

I want to see Illinois add a No. 1 guard over the next two recruiting classes. The class of 2019 isn’t finished yet, and the class of 2020 hasn’t even started for the Orange and Blue. Adding another No. 1 is extremely important. If the Illini can’t add another No. 1 guard, they will struggle in 2020-2021 because both Frazier and Williams will be departing.

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