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Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons Justin Smith would be perfect fit for Illini

By Rees Woodcock

BLOOMINGTON, IN - FEBRUARY 23: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers brings the ball up court during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Assembly Hall on February 23, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - FEBRUARY 23: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers brings the ball up court during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Assembly Hall on February 23, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 07: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) looks across the court during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 7, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 07: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) looks across the court during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 7, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Illini need the size at the No. 4

The Illinois basketball program saw a resurgence this past season. They were able to secure the double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament and were a lock to make the Big Dance.

While all of that came crashing down due to the Coronavirus, the results were still there to have hope for the future. And, I believe, Brad Underwood accomplished this goal with a roster that wasn’t complete.

For what seemed like the majority of the season, Underwood went with a four-guard lineup. He had Ayo Dosunmu, Trent Frazier, Andres Feliz and Da’Monte Williams all starting. The No. 5 was obviously big man Kofi Cockburn. But this was a small lineup all things considered.

Illinois didn’t have a good enough traditional power forward on the team who could come in and give us size, coordination and scoring. Heading into the 2020-21 campaign, I believe that is still the case for the Illini.

As of right now, both Ayo and Kofi are not on the team, so I can’t have them in the equation. So, that means I have Giorgi Bezhanishvili moving over to the No. 5. That makes us even more vulnerable at the No. 4 spot. I would then have Williams starting at the No. 4 with Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk as his backup.

The No. 4 spot would be extremely weak, to say the least. That would give Justin Smith the perfect opportunity to come into the Illinois program and start from day one. He could be the No. 4 that gives the Illini size and scoring ability. This would make the team instantly better.

Having Smith on the roster takes Illinois from a solid team to a Sweet 16 program. I think he would be a great addition because we need help at the No. 4 spot.

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