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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup if Jose Perez was added

By Rees Woodcock

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Jose Perez #5 of the Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs reacts after a basket in the first half against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Jose Perez #5 of the Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs reacts after a basket in the first half against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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LADERA RANCH, CA – JULY 19: NY Jayhawks guard Andre Curbelo dribbles up the court during the adidas Gauntlet Finale on July 19, 2018 at the Ladera Sports Center in Ladera Ranch, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Andre Curbelo (SO)

I am extremely excited about what Andre Curbelo is going to bring to the Illini during his freshman campaign. He is going to be a great player and someone who will help facilitate the offense and defense. I fully expect him to continue improving from his freshman to sophomore seasons.

Curbelo should be starting at the No. 1 spot this upcoming season, and I see him starting as a sophomore as well. The biggest concern I have with Curbelo is the fact he might go to the NBA after one season. That would leave the Illini out to dry. But, for now, he is going to be our starting No. 1 for the 2021-22 campaign.

Backup: Recruit/Transfer

According to my projection for 2021-22, there isn’t a backup point guard on the roster. That worries me greatly. Snagging another solid ball-handler should be one of the priorities for the class of 2021.

As far as options go for this role, I would say Jaden Hardy is the best option. He is more of a No. 2 guard, but he has the ability to come in and be a ball-handler for the Orange and Blue. He is a five-star combo-guard who is the No. 6 player in the class of 2021. If we could land Hardy, that put this program over the top.

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