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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini starting lineup with Jermaine Hamlin

By Rees Woodcock

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts 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 reacts 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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) brings the ball up the court during the college basketball game between the East Tennessee State Univeristy Buccaneers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 15, 2018, at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) brings the ball up the court during the college basketball game between the East Tennessee State Univeristy Buccaneers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 15, 2018, at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 3 Guard/Forward

Starter: Da’Monte Williams

Looking at the history of Brad Underwood and how he values experience, I think there is a strong chance Da’Monte Williams makes a move and becomes a starter on this team once again.

I haven’t been in love with Williams’ game since he joined the program, but there were some things he did pretty well overseas. His passing ability looks to be on-point right now. He needs to improve on his scoring, though. I don’t want to see 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game anymore. Let’s see higher numbers.

Backup: Tevian Jones

A player who continued to improve last season but still didn’t see enough minutes was Tevian Jones. This kid has tremendous athletic ability and should be hard to handle moving forward.

Jones ended last season averaging 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in just 9.2 minutes of action. That isn’t enough time for what this kid can do. He did get a lot more playing time during the overseas tour, though. He started a few games for the Illini and looked quick. I can’t wait to see what he can do for us this season. I have him as a primary backup.

Backup: Kipper Nichols

I was really disappointed in what Kipper Nichols brought to the table last season for the Illini. He wasn’t the same Nichols we had seen in years past.

Last season, Nichols ended up averaging 5.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.1 minutes of action. He didn’t take that step forward that I was expecting him to take. He saw some solid minutes in the overseas sessions so, hopefully, that will help him with his game. I have him getting okay minutes as a reserve.

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