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Illinois Basketball: Projected 2020-21 Illini lineup if seniors get an extra year

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Kofi Cockburn #21 and Andres Feliz #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Kofi Cockburn #21 and Andres Feliz #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 15: Andres Feliz #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during in a college basketball game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 15: Andres Feliz #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during in a college basketball game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Guard

Starter: Andres Feliz

At the No. 3 spot, I have Andres Feliz. He would be the first of the returning seniors if they are granted the extra year of eligibility. I see Feliz starting again if he comes back to the team.

In the two years Feliz has been with the Illinois basketball program, our guard play has improved tremendously. He started out as a starter, then went to a backup role and eventually came back to the starting lineup. Getting him back would make us a title contender.

Backup: Kipper Nichols

Another senior who could return if the NCAA grants an extra year is Kipper Nichols. It has been a roller coaster of a career for Nichols. He came in under John Groce and has done some good things since Brad Underwood has taken over. I see Nichols getting minutes next season. His contributions should mirror what he did this year.

Backup: Tevian Jones

The path forward for Tevian Jones is going to be interesting. He has been in the doghouse of Underwood’s a couple of times during his career. Toward the end of the season, he wasn’t getting playing time either. I see Jones as a reserve moving forward until he can prove that he can stay on the court.

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