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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 08: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks up a scuffle between Da’Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 08: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks up a scuffle between Da’Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Guard/Forward

Starter Da’Monte Williams

Some people might scoff at the notion of putting Da’Monte Williams at the No. 4 spot, but that is where we have him right now. So, I think he will start at this position next season too.

Brad Underwood likes consistency. That is why I believe Williams will get the nod at the No. 4 spot. His defense has been solid this season. He has started to shoot the ball better too. I think there will be a timeshare at this position, but Williams should still get the start.

Backup: Giorgi Bezhanishvili

It was sad to see Giorgi Bezhanishvili’s game decay over the past season. But this kid was starting to play better before the season was canceled. I think he would be a primary backup to the No. 4 spot heading into next season. Giorgi has the drive to be a great player. I would love to see him in the NCAA tournament.

Backup: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

Illinois fans didn’t get to see much of Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk last season. He played sparingly toward the beginning of the year, but I believe he was probably redshirted. Heading into next season, I see him being a reserve for this program. He has a lot of athletic ability, though.

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