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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Brandon Lieb

By Rees Woodcock

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - FEBRUARY 18: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center on February 18, 2020 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - FEBRUARY 18: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center on February 18, 2020 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Illinois basketball
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) clinches his fists as he gets into a defensive position during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on January 21, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 4 Guard/Forward

Starter: Da’Monte Williams

The most controversial position I have on the team right now is the No. 4 spot. This is traditionally a player who has some size, but Brad Underwood went small in this role last year and it worked. I think he could go small again, and that is why I have Da’Monte Williams starting here.

Williams was one of the unsung leaders on the Illinois basketball team last season. Don’t let his low numbers fool you, this kid was a defensive specialist and could hit a shot when needed. I think he will improve on his 2.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game as a senior.

Backup: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

Illinois fans didn’t get to see much of Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk last season. The freshman only played in nine total games and saw limited action.

I believe Verdonk’s numbers will see a big jump this year. He only averaged 1.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game during his freshman season. As a primary backup to Williams, I would like to see those numbers triple in 2020.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins

It is hard to project what a true freshman will bring to the table. I believe Coleman Hawkins is a good player, but I could see him being a redshirt for his first season. That is why I have him as the second backup at the No. 4 spot.

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