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Illinois Basketball: Illini lineup with Ayo Dosunmu & Kofi Cockburn returning

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 11: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 11: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – JANUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) celebrates after scoring the game-winning basket during a regular season Big Ten Conference game between the Illinois Fighting Illini (21) and the Michigan Wolverines on January 25, 2020, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Ayo Dosunmu

This projected lineup for the Illini next season includes everyone who is eligible to come back. That is why I have Ayo Dosunmu as the starting No. 2 guard for the Orange and Blue. The return of Ayo would be huge for this program.

Ayo is currently one of the main go-to scorers on the team. He is averaging 15.8 points this season on 47-percent shooting from the field, and he is up to 79.5-percent from the charity stripe. Having Ayo come back would give the Illini some serious scoring potential. He would be a Wooden Award candidate for sure.

Backup: Da’Monte Williams

Da’Monte Williams doesn’t have a set position on this Illinois basketball team. He is a utility player who can move around the court wherever Brad Underwood needs him. That is what makes this kid so special.

I have Williams backing up Ayo next season. This year, he is the starting No. 3 guard, but I think we will have more talent come in for next season. That will give Underwood the flexibility to move Williams in more of a depth role. Don’t be shocked if Williams comes in for other players, but I am putting him behind Ayo for now.

Backup: Austin Hutcherson

Austin Hutcherson is one of the two big transfers Illinois snagged last year. He had to sit out this season due to transfer rules, but he should be able to come in and make a depth impact immediately.

Hutcherson transferred in from Wesleyan University where he averaged 20 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. I am not expecting anywhere near those numbers with the Illini, but he should be a solid all-around player for this program. I am curious to see how he transitions into the Big Ten.

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