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Illinois Basketball: Illini lineup with Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn returning

By Rees Woodcock

ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 25: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after making the game winning basket again Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center on January 25, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 25: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after making the game winning basket again Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center on January 25, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 14: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) celebrates during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes on March 14, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 14: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) celebrates during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes on March 14, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 4 Guard/Forward

Starter: Da’Monte Williams

This is still going to be a controversial pick for the starting lineup, but I am going to leave Da’Monte Williams at the starting No. 4 spot. The lineup would be small, but this lineup worked last year with Andre Feliz on the team. I think it could work well again this year too.

Williams is not going to average big numbers by any means. He put up 2.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game last year. But this kid is a defensive stopper and a glue guy for this program. He does things that sometimes are not measured by the stat sheet. I am excited to see what he can do in his senior season.

Backup: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

Another player who has not seen much of the floor is Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk. He is touted as an athletic freak who is going to help this team win games in the near future. I can not wait to see what he can do on the court.

I have Verdonk coming in this season and being a primary backup to Williams. He gives the No. 4 spot some size when we need it. I do not see an even timeshare with Williams, but it would not shock me to see Verdonk get 5-10 minutes per game. This position might be the dark horse for the Illini.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins

I think there is a chance Coleman Hawkins now gets redshirted thanks to the return of Kofi Cockburn. But, for now, I am going to slot him in at the No. 4 spot as the second backup.

I think Hawkins is going to have a solid career with Illinois, but there is too much talent ahead of him right now. Putting a redshirt on him and saving a year of eligibility would be the best thing for the team right now.

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