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Illinois Basketball: Illini starting lineup compared to the 2012-13 team

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 16: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 16, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 16: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 16, 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. 2 Guard

BU – Trent Frazier

JG – DJ Richardson

The No. 2 guard spot is where things get really interesting. Both Trent Frazier and DJ Richardson are players who could light up on the scoreboard on any given night. These two players are some of the biggest three-point threats I have seen wear an Illini jersey.

Richardson had a great career with the Illini. The 2012-13 campaign was his senior year and it was the best he had during his time in Champaign. He ended up averaging 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He also shot 36.3-percent from the field and 32.2-percent from three-point range.

On the flip side, Frazier is about to be entering his junior campaign. I hear some fans dogging on this kid for one reason or another, but if you really watch him you will see the talent he brings to the floor. He has the stat sheet to back it up as well. Last season was Frazier’s best while with Illinois. He ended up averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He also shot 41.1-percent from the field and 40.6-percent from three-point range.

I have to give the nod to Frazier when it comes to the No. 2 guard spot. He has put up better numbers each of his first two seasons than Richardson did during his senior campaign. Frazier is also doing it efficiently as well. This one was tough, but Frazier takes the cake here.

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