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Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons the Illini need Jordan Nesbitt

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on the floor before a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on the floor before a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Illinois basketball
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a play during the second half of a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 72-57. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

1. Need on the wing

I believe Illinois is prepared to win a lot during the 2020-21 campaign with their stacked roster featuring some of the best players in the nation. But, when 2021-22 rolls around, the Illini will need some help, especially on the wing at the No. 3 spot.

As of right now, I have Jacob Grandison starting at the No. 3 spot for 2021. He would be senior and, hopefully, coming off a sensational junior campaign.

Grandison, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound transfer from Holy Cross College, put up 13.9 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 assists his sophomore season with the program. After sitting out the mandatory transfer year, the talented wing should help the Illini this season and as a senior in 2021. The depth behind Grandison worries me, though.

Depending on how the roster shakes out over the next year and a half, I would say there is a solid chance Jordan Nesbitt would come in and be the primary backup to Grandison. I could see the two eventually being in a timeshare with Nesbitt seeing a few starts throughout the year.

By his sophomore season, Nesbitt would then take over the starting job at the No. 3 spot. Grandison will have departed, so the starting role would be up for grabs.

Illinois needs help on the wing, and Nesbitt would be a solid answer. This kid is big, strong and fast, and would be a great option for an Illini team looking to go far in the postseason.

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