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

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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 14: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the court in the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

No. 5 Center

Starter: Kofi Cockburn

The obvious starter at the No. 5 spot for the Illinois basketball team would be big man Kofi Cockburn. He has come into this program and lit the world on fire. His presence in the paint has been something to marvel at since suiting up for the team.

Kofi should come into next season even more polished than he already is right now. He was really started to play well before the season was canceled too. If he would have entered the NCAA tournament and played amazingly, there was no doubt in my mind he would have headed to the NBA. But this cancelation might have kept him in Champaign.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins

Illinois is also adding another big man to the mix from the class of 2020. Coleman Hawkins committed and signed with the Illini in 2019. He is a nice big body who can run the court and score at-will. I think the addition of Hawkins is going to prove to be beneficial early on in his career.

Next. Top 5 Illini targets for the class of 2021. dark

Backup: Jermaine Hamlin

There were a few times we got to see Jermaine Hamlin this past season. Illinois was in foul trouble and needed a big body on the court. Hamlin would get the call in certain cases like this one. He is extremely raw as a player, but there were times he impressed me on the court. I see him more as a reserve moving forward.

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