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Illinois Basketball: Projected lineup if Brandon Weston picks the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 13: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with players in a timeout during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on March 13, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 13: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with players in a timeout during a Big Ten Tournament game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on March 13, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/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. 4 Guard/Forward

Starter: Austin Hutcherson

When we get to the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in 2021, I get a little more uneasy about what we are going to get on the court. Despite that feeling, I love what we could have with Austin Hutcherson starting at the No. 4 spot for the Illini. This kid has all the talent in the world and has been dubbed Illinois’ best athlete.

Hutcherson transferred into the Illinois program with Jacob Grandison this past season. He is coming from Wesleyan University where he averaged 20 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game during his sophomore season. Hutcherson will get to play as a junior this year and then is a senior next season. He would give Illinois some much-needed experience around the hoop.

Backup: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

I think one of the biggest question marks Illinois basketball has dealt with over the past few years is with Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk. He is someone who is touted as a great athlete, but we haven’t been able to see him perform for an extended period of time yet.

Verdonk averaged 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in six total games as a true freshman. He did take a redshirt, so it is time to see what he can do this upcoming season. I have him being the primary backup to Hutcherson at the No. 4 spot. Don’t be shocked to see Verdonk receive 10-15 minutes per game.

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