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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 10: Adam Miller drives to the basket during the Nike Academy Showcase Game on August 10, 2019 at the Los Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Adam Miller (SO)

Year two of Adam Miller would be a blessing for the Illinois fanbase. I would be surprised if Miller sticks around for two years. But, as of right now, he is going to be around as a sophomore. I fully expect him to put up big-time numbers as a freshman this upcoming campaign. He would then head into the 2021-22 season as one of the leaders.

I have Miller as the starting No. 2 for the Illini. He should be in this role as long as he is with the team. Miller is coming in as a dynamic scorer who can get to the rim but also step back and knock down shots from anywhere on the court. Illinois will look to Miller for scoring at a high rate. That is why he is going to be the starting No. 2.

Backup: Jacob Grandison (SR)

I have the backup to Miller for the 2021-22 campaign being Jacob Grandison. We didn’t get to see him this past season due to transfer rules, but he will be unleashed this upcoming season as a junior. That means he will be a senior by 2021-22.

Grandison averaged 13.9 points in the two years he spent with Holy Cross. The number that excites me the most about this kid is the fact he can hit three-pointers at a clip of 36.5-percent. If we can get that out of him as a backup, this program will be dangerous.

Recruit/Transfer

While I like the depth we have entering the 2021-22 campaign, I believe both Miller and Grandison will depart the program after this season. That means we won’t have anyone to play the No. 2 spot moving forward. That is why we need another recruit for the class of 2021.

The obvious answer to who could play the No. 2 spot is Max Christie. He should be one of the top priorities for the class of 2021 right now. Christie is a five-star recruit who is the No. 13 player in the nation. Obviously, there would have to be some rearranging because a player of this caliber would be starting. But I think Christie is needed for the future.

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