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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Adam Miller and DJ Steward

By Rees Woodcock

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 18, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 18, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 19: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shortsduring a first round game of Maui Invitational college basketball game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

No. 2 Guard

Starter – DJ Steward

It was a tough one to project who the starting No. 2 guard is going to be for the Illini. I think there is a chance Illinois goes with Steward at this position because he brings a great game and the ability to put the ball in the hoop. He also has a great ability to distribute the ball as well.

Steward is a 6-foot-3, 165-pound combo guard from Whitney Young High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 42 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 6 combo guard in the nation. He is also the No. 2 player in the state of Illinois. Landing Steward would be a big accomplishment for the Illini. He is a player who could help this team reach new heights.

Backup – Alan Griffin

The backup I have to Steward two seasons from now is junior, Alan Griffin. I expected too much out of Griffin during his freshman season with the Illini. He ended up averaging 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest, but he also only played 8.1 minutes per game.

I would like to see a big jump for Griffin in 2019. This would get him in the conversation for the starting job when 2020-21 comes around. But, as of right now, he is a backup at best.

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