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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini dream team lineup for 2021-22

By Rees Woodcock

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 05: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches his team in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 05: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches his team in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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LADERA RANCH, CA – JULY 19: NY Jayhawks guard Andre Curbelo dribbles up the court during the adidas Gauntlet Finale on July 19, 2018 at the Ladera Sports Center in Ladera Ranch, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Andre Curbelo (Sophomore – 4 star – #44 overall)

The Illinois basketball team is going to go through some major changes over the next year or so. But that doesn’t mean they will be bad changes. The future is exciting considering the players Brad Underwood has already brought in and could bring in. One of the leaders of this program for the 2021-22 campaign is going to be Andre Curbelo.

Curbelo will be in his sophomore season when 2021-22 rolls around. I would imagine he has a solid freshman campaign where he sees a number of starts. As a sophomore, I expect Curbelo’s stock to skyrocket. The four-star guard who was a top 50 recruiting the class of 2020 should be one of the best point guards in the Big Ten and, potentially, the nation. If he has the type of season I expect him to have in his first two years, then look for the star guard to take off for the NBA.

Backup: Jacob Grandison (Senior – transfer)

The depth at the No. 1 guard spot could be interesting when the 2021-22 season comes around. I love Curbelo at the starting No. 1 spot, but Illinois isn’t in the mix for any point guards in the class of 2021. That worries me a little bit. I think we will be okay, though. I believe Jacob Grandison could be a sufficient backup to Curbelo.

This might seem like a weird choice to many fans. I believe the 6-foot-6 guard could be a good option to come in and relieve Curbelo of some minutes. He was a pretty good all-around player with Holy Cross College. He finished his sophomore season with Holy Cross averaging 13.9 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. I am not looking for anywhere near that with the Illini. I just want someone who can come in and score a little bit but mainly facilitate the ball. That is something Grandison can do for this program.

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