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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the dream class of 2021

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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Jan 30, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; A general scene of the I flag and cheerleaders prior to the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; A general scene of the I flag and cheerleaders prior to the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 Guard

Starter: Austin Hutcherson

So far there hasn’t been a single player on this roster who has played a minute for Illinois. But Austin Hutcherson should see plenty of playing time in 2020-21 for the Illini. This playing time will help him progress as a player so he is ready for the 2021-22 campaign.

I have Hutcherson starting at the No. 3 spot for the Illini when 2021-22 rolls around. The experienced guard will have a year under his belt in Illinois’ system and will be a senior. He averaged 20 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game with Wesleyan University as a sophomore. I am not expecting those numbers with the Illini, but Hutcherson should be an important piece to the puzzle.

Backup: Jacob Grandison

I have more quality depth at the No. 3 guard spot for Illinois as well. Jacob Grandison should see solid playing time this upcoming season for the Illini. This experience at the Big Ten level will help the program in 2021-22 when Grandison is a primary backup to Hutcherson.

Grandison would be a perfect quality depth piece behind Hutcherson for the 2021-22 campaign. They are similar players and can both put up big numbers. Grandison averaged 13.9 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in his final season at Holy Cross. I think he can put up solid numbers with the Illini too.

Backup: Wesley Cardet

The next new piece to the puzzle for Illinois could be Wesley Cardet. The 6-foot-6 combo-guard has his eyes set on a guard position for whatever program he chooses. He wants to be a big-time contributor on the team and, despite his great size, he wants to be one of the main guards. I think this is possible with the Illini.

Illinois is going to have a ton of depth in Cardet’s first year, so I would put him as a backup guard at the No. 3 spot in year one. I would imagine there is a solid chance Andre Curbelo would depart after his sophomore year, so I would then move Cardet to the No. 1 guard spot. But, for now, the four-star recruit would be slotted as a backup at the No. 3 guard spot.

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