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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup without Alan Griffin & Tevian Jones

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 01: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini salutes the fans following the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 01: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini salutes the fans following the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) clinches his fists as he gets into a defensive position during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on January 21, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 4 Guard/Forward

Starter: Da’Monte Williams (SR)

I don’t think Brad Underwood is going to deviate far from this past season’s starting lineup for next year. That is why I have Da’Monte Williams starting at the No. 4 spot for the Illini. For about the last 25-percent of the season this past year, Illinois went with a four-guard rotation and it worked. Having Williams at the No. 4 would be great for his defense.

Williams only averaged 2.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists as a junior. But, as previously mentioned, his defense is what sets him apart. He is a lockdown defender. On top of that, I was starting to be impressed with his shooting too. If he can get to his spot, then I think Williams can contribute points in each game.

Backup: Giorgi Bezhanishvili (JR)

It is tough to say this, but I think the best situation for Giorgi Bezhanishvili moving forward is a bench player who becomes a spark plug for the team. He has an energy that is made to be that spark plug role. I think he would be perfect as a backup to Williams.

Giorgi finished last season averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He struggled, to say the least. But I think being a solid backup who can put up numbers is the best role for him. He could thrive as a junior.

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (FR)

Illinois fans didn’t get to see too much of Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk this past season. He played in nine games and averaged 1.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. We didn’t see him after that ninth game, so I assume he was redshirted. That means we get a Verdonk that is still a freshman this upcoming season. I can’t wait to see how this kid develops.

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