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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup if Charles Bediako was added

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 11: A basketball rolls off the court during a timeout in the Big Ten Conference game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2017, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 11: A basketball rolls off the court during a timeout in the Big Ten Conference game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2017, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – DECEMBER 30: Detail view of the basketball goal and net during a game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Illinois Fighting Illini at Mackey Arena on December 30, 2008 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Guard/Forward

Starter: Jacob Grandison

Illinois brought in a couple of transfers last season who will finally be eligible to play for the program this upcoming season. The first of the transfers was Jacob Grandison. He is a solid wing who can put the ball in the basket. This was one of the better transfer lands for the Illini in recent years.

I have Grandison starting at the No. 3 spot in 2021. The progress he makes his junior year will tell me if this is the right role for him. I believe he controls his own future right now. If he performs well this upcoming season, then he will have a starting spot during his senior year.

Backup: Austin Hutcherson

The other transfer Illinois was able to land is Austin Hutcherson. This kid is similar to Grandison in size and skill. That is why I have him coming in and playing the same role and Grandison from day one.

I am excited to see what Hutcherson can do this upcoming season. If he performs well, he too could be in line for a starting job in 2021. But, for now, I have him as the backup to Grandison at the No. 3 spot. Don’t be shocked if this is a timeshare, though.

Backup: 2021 Target

The No. 3 spot is where I believe Illinois could do some damage in the recruiting market for 2021. There are a ton of recruits out there who would fit well at the No. 3 spot.

Probably the highest-rated Illini target who would be a great No. 3 is Max Christie. He could come in and start right away for this program. His scoring ability is out of this world. Christie would be my No. 1 choice followed by Brandon Weston out of Morgan Park.

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