Writing Illini
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Illinois basketball
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 05: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini calls out to his teammates in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Ayo Dosunmu

I am shifting in a different direction than most of the lineup predictions I have made in the past. With this one, I am having Ayo Dosunmu on the team next season. He is still with the team and hasn’t declared for the NBA Draft, so I will have him in the lineup. Getting Ayo back would be huge for the Illinois program.

Ayo had a sensational first two years with the team when it came to the stat sheet. While the Illini failed to win more than 12 games in year one, Ayo still managed to put up solid numbers. He followed that up with 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists en route to an NCAA tournament bid this year. That is why, if he comes back, Ayo would be the starting No. 2 guard for this Illini team without a question.

Backup: Austin Hutcherson

I am slightly concerned about Illinois’ depth if this would be the roster to start the season. But there are some solid pieces to backup the starters. One of those pieces is Austin Hutcherson. We were able to land this kid via the transfer market last year. After sitting out a season, he is ready to contribute big-time minutes.

Hutcherson averaged 20 points in his final season with Wesleyan University. That is a big number, but you have to take it with a grain of salt. The number that excites me the most is his 39.2-percent three-point shooting. That is what we need off the bench. That is why I think he is a perfect backup at the No. 2 spot.

Home/Illinois Basketball