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Illinois Basketball: Projected lineup if Jordan Nesbitt picks Illini

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini 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 Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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LADERA RANCH, CA – JULY 19: NY Jayhawks guard Andre Curbelo makes a pass 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)
LADERA RANCH, CA – JULY 19: NY Jayhawks guard Andre Curbelo makes a pass 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

The starter at the No. 1 spot should be Andre Curbelo when the 2021-22 campaign rolls around. The 6-foot, 170-pound Long Island Lutheran point guard is ready to take the Big Ten by storm with his great vision and ability to get to the rim and finish.

As a true freshman, Curbelo is more likely going to be the backup to Ayo Dosunmu, which is completely understandable. Ayo is in contention for the National Player of the Year. Curbelo should be able to take some notes and improve as a player while playing behind Ayo. This will help his development for when he does take the reins as a sophomore in 2021. Look for Curbelo to bring the ball up the court for the Illini in a couple of years.

Backup: Graduate Transfer/Recruit

There are very few options on the recruiting front for 2021 when it comes to the point guard position. Illinois lost out on a couple of big recruits early on, but a new name has emerged over the last couple of weeks. Tyty Washington is someone to keep an eye on. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound point guard is ranked as the No. 74 player in the country. Illinois just came in with an offer on September 2 and has already made up some serious ground.

Let’s not forget, the Illini have been lively in the graduate transfer market too. We have snagged great players like Andres Feliz, Austin Hutcherson and Jacob Grandison over the past few years via the transfer market. This wouldn’t be a bad route to go down either.

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