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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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TULSA, OK – MARCH 20: A view of the ball during the third round game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Guard

Starter: Austin Hutcherson

As previously mentioned, Illinois has been active in the transfer market the last few years. One of the great transfers that Brad Underwood was able to snag was Austin Hutcherson. The 6-foot-6, 180-pound guard enters the program as a great utility player, and someone the coaching staff can rely on to help lead this team to wins.

Hutcherson is coming into the Illinois program from DIII Wesleyan University where he tore up the NESCAC by dropping 20 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. His 39.2-percent three-point shooting is what stands off the page the most, as Illinois will need scoring when 2021-22 rolls around. With tremendous athletic ability mixed in with a great shot from anywhere on the court, Hutcherson should find a comfortable spot as the starting No. 3 for the Illini. He will be great out on the wing.

Backup: Jordan Nesbitt

And we get to the man of the hour. Jordan Nesbitt hasn’t made any decisions yet but will cut his list down to three teams in the coming days. This kid would be a great asset to the Illinois program, so hopefully, we can make his updated top list. The 6-foot-6, 180-pound small forward is ranked as the No. 75 player in the class of 2021.

I see Nesbitt coming into the Illini program and having his first year as a development campaign. He wouldn’t take a redshirt, but this season would be more about learning and developing. I have him behind Hutcherson at the No. 3 spot, and there couldn’t be a better place for Nesbitt. I see him getting minutes early on and then by his sophomore season in 2022-23, Nesbitt should step into the starting No. 3 role.

Backup: Graduate Transfer/Recruit

This is where I would add to the Illinois class of 2021 or snag someone from the graduate transfer market. Illinois is going to lose a lot of depth on the wing once the 2021-22 campaign is completed, so they need to find a great backup to Nesbit moving forward.

Someone on my radar would be Wesley Cardet. The 6-foot-6, 175-pound combo-guard has all the tools to play the No. 1 through No. 3 spots on the team. He can handle the ball well and is a tremendous playmaker. Cardet would be my first option. But there is always the graduate transfer route too. This spring and summer could be interesting.

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