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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup without Kofi Cockburn

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 18: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) grabs a rebound during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 18, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 18: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) grabs a rebound during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 18, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 11: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribble the ball during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Trent Frazier

It was tough to figure out who would be the starting No. 1 guard next season, but I think Trent Frazier would get the nod with the roster the way I have it configured. He would come in as the starter and see a timeshare with incoming freshman, Andre Curbelo.

Frazier’s first two seasons with the Illini were sensational. This kid could light the world on fire with this shooting ability. But he didn’t have a great junior campaign on the offensive end. To make up for the offensive woes, Frazier really locked down on defense. He was arguably the best defender on the team and was someone who we could look to for a big stop at the end of games. He will be a key part of this team as a senior.

Backup: Andre Curbelo

The backup to Frazier would then be Andre Curbelo. As previously mentioned, I have Curbelo as a primary backup to Frazier but still getting a solid timeshare with the senior guard. I think he is one of the best and most underrated players coming into the college game.

Curbelo was the No. 55 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 7 point guard in the nation. If you watched this kid play, you would know that he is going to be a superstar. It wouldn’t shock me to see him get some starts as a freshman.

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