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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup if DJ Carton was added

By Rees Woodcock

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: D.J. Carton #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after getting fouled in the game against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons during the first half at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: D.J. Carton #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after getting fouled in the game against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons during the first half at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: D.J. Carton #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball during a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Value City Arena on January 23, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. Minnesota defeated Ohio State 62-59 (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: D.J. Carton #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball during a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Value City Arena on January 23, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. Minnesota defeated Ohio State 62-59 (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: DJ Carton (SO)

It would be amazing to see Illinois land a few big-time transfers this offseason. There are quite a few players who are looking for a new home, and I think Champaign could be a comfortable landing spot. One of those great players is DJ Carton.

Carton was the No. 34 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 4 point guard in the nation. He went to Ohio State for a season where he averaged 10.4 points, 3 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. But things didn’t end well there, so he is now looking for a new home. If Illinois can land someone like Carton the second time around, then we should be set for the future. This kid is a big-time player who could be Dee Brown to Andre Curbelo’s Deron Williams. I am here for that.

Backup: Jacob Grandison (SR)

There were two players who Illinois was able to snag this past year from the transfer market. We already talked about Austin Hutcherson coming in and being a solid back at the No. 1 guard spot. The other transfer who will help this team is Jacob Grandison.

Grandison transferred in from Holy Cross College where he averaged 13.9 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He sat out this past season but will be a junior for the upcoming campaign. That means Illinois could have another solid player coming off the bench who has a ton of experience. Grandison giving relief to a player like Carton would be big-time for the program.

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