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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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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. 5 Center

Starter: Kofi Cockburn (SO)

I would say the main attraction for the Illinois basketball team next season is Kofi Cockburn. I have Kofi returning for his sophomore campaign and being on the shortlist of players to win National Player of the Year. I believe he is that good and should continue to develop.

Kofi finished his freshman campaign averaging 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He was easily one of the best freshmen I have ever seen come through the program. I would argue that Kofi is the best big man I have ever seen Illinois have since I have been alive (1990). I look for him to dominate next season as well.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins (FR)

There isn’t a ton of depth behind Kofi, but I am extremely intrigued by what we are getting with incoming freshman, Coleman Hawkins. This kid flew under the radar nationally because he had teammates who took all of the spotlight. But Hawkins did impress me every time I watched him play.

Coming out of Prolific Prep High School in California, Hawkins was rated as a three-star recruit who was the No. 157 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 34 power forward in the nation. I believe this 6-foot-10 beast could be a No. 5 for the Illini, though. We don’t always need a traditional big man in the paint. He would be a great option to spell minutes for Kofi in year one.

Illini commit Adam Miller wins Illinois Gatorade PoY. dark. Next

Backup: Jermaine Hamlin (SO)

I loved the effort Jermaine Hamlin gave the Illini this past season. There were times he was asked to come in the game for Kofi because of foul trouble, and I was happy with what I was watching. Hamlin played in 16 games for the Illini and averaged 4.1 minutes per game. I could see his numbers being the same for next season as well.

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