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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini dream team lineup for 2020-21

By Rees Woodcock

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 21: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 21, 2020 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 21: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 21, 2020 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 05: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celbrates after making a three pointer in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Ayo Dosunmu

Arguably the biggest question mark in college basketball right now is what the players will do who are still declared for the NBA Draft. They can pull their name out of the mix up until August 3. Ayo Dosunmu is in that mix. If he does come back to Illinois, we would have one of the best programs in the nation.

The Illinois dream team for the upcoming season would have Ayo starting at the No. 1 spot. Some people are going to argue that he wouldn’t play the No. 1 but stop thinking this is your 1990s basketball roster. Just because Ayo would bring the ball up the court doesn’t mean he is only going to be a distributor. I would be most comfortable with him having the ball. I believe he would dominate at the No. 1 spot.

Backup: Andre Curbelo

With Ayo coming back to Illinois, that would shift the roster a little bit. Originally, I had incoming freshman Andre Curbelo at the starting No. 1 spot. But now he is shifted down to the backup No. 1 guard role.

I still believe Curbelo would see a ton of minutes. He isn’t relegated to subbing in for Ayo. Curbelo would come in for any of the guards on the court. I think this kid is one of the most underrated recruits in the class of 2020. He is going to do some damage for this program.

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