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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 05: Big Ten referee Lamont Simpson talks with Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) during the 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: Big Ten referee Lamont Simpson talks with Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) during the 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. 2 Guard

Starter – Trent Frazier

The other position that doesn’t have speculation to it is the starting No. 2 guard. I have Trent Frazier in this position because of his abilities on the court and the leadership he brings this team. Frazier has been one of the most electric players we have ever seen suit up for the Orange and Blue. This kid has everything you want in a player.

Last season, Frazier finished the year averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. What impresses me the most is the fact he shot 40.6-percent from three-point range. I remember fans giving him grief about his shooting from distance when he was actually putting up impressive numbers. He should be great this upcoming season as well.

Backup – Alan Griffin

The backup role to the No. 2 guard spot is going to be a timeshare. This is more speculative, though. I think Alan Griffin is going to see more minutes this season than he did last year.

As a true freshman, Griffin averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in the 8.1 minutes per game he played. I see his minutes going up some because of his ability to shoot the ball. Sadly, this ability didn’t show through a lot last season. It is there, though.

Backup – Da’Monte Williams

I have Da’Monte Williams in the timeshare with Griffin. I think there are some good things Williams brings to the team when he is on the court. But he didn’t show a lot last season.

Williams finished the 2018-19 campaign averaging 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.6 minutes of action per game. Those aren’t good numbers for the time he received. I want to see more out of him this season.

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