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

4 of 6

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) /

No. 3 Guard/Forward

Starter – Tevian Jones

The starter at the No. 3 spot for the Illini this upcoming season and into the future should be Tevian Jones. This kid proved he could play last season, and now he needs to be thrust into a starting job. I think this upcoming campaign is going to shape the career for Jones with the Illini.

Jones’ freshman season was good and bad at times. There would be stretches where his game was, arguably, the best on the court for the Illini. But there would also be times where he would make some bad freshmen mistakes. I want Jones to work on control this upcoming season. He needs to control his movements and not be so wild. If he can hone his athletic ability, then I think he is going to be one of the best players on the team in 2020-21.

Backup – Scholarship Open (3)

The third open scholarship I have for the Illini should be used as the backup for Jones. Illinois is going to need to land a player who is somewhere in the top 150 to be a solid backup. This player can receive minutes behind Jones and then, in a year or two, would be moved into a starting role.

Backup – Scholarship Open (4)

The fourth scholarship I have open should be used as another backup to Jones. I have this scholarship being someone who could help the program down the road. I am not expecting a top-level player, although that would be nice. I want someone who has the potential and is willing to develop.

Home/Illinois Basketball