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

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; The Illinois Fighting Illini Orange Krush student section holds up The Daily Illini newspapers prior to a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5 Center/Forward

Starter: Mac Etienne

The final piece to the class of 2021 would be the most important piece. Mac Etienne is a must-get for the Illini as they look for a replacement for big man Kofi Cockburn. Etienne is a 6-foot-10, 220-pound monster who is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 43 player in the class of 2021.

I would slot Etienne as the starting No. 5 for the Illini if he chooses Champaign as his home. If Illinois doesn’t land Etienne, the No. 5 spot is going to struggle mightily. I am not sure what the Illini would do with the position. I assume Giorgi would take it back over. But that is why snagging Etienne is so important. We need a big man, and he fits the bill.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins

I love the talent Illinois is bringing in from the class of 2020. I have already named a couple of players, but one of the more underrated talents is Coleman Hawkins. The 6-foot-10, 195-pound big man is overlooked at Prolific Prep because of the talent around him. I believe he would come into the Illinois program, redshirt year one, and then he would be a solid backup for the Illini in 2021-22.

Backup: Jermaine Hamlin

As a backup last season, Jermaine Hamlin averaged 0.9 points and 0.8 rebounds per game. He wasn’t asked to do much but provide some relief when Kofi needed a rest. I think that will be Hamlin’s role moving forward as well. He is someone who Illinois can rely on spelling minutes for starters and backups.

Next. Illini set to play in the Jimmy V Classic. dark

Backup: Brandon Lieb

The final piece to the puzzle is Brandon Lieb. A talented 6-foot-11, 205-pound big man out of Deerfield, Illinois, Lieb is entering the program from the class of 2020. I don’t expect much from Lieb the first few years with the team, but this kid could be an important piece for the Illini down the road.