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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup after missing on Tyty Washington

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 1, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood is seen prior to a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood is seen prior to a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 *** /

No. 4 Forward

Starter: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

It was tough to figure out who should start at the No. 4 spot, but I believe there is a solid chance that Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk is the starter if the lineup remains the same as it is right now. This would give Illinois great length as Verdonk stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 235-pounds.

The development of Verdonk over the next year is going to be key, though. He isn’t going to have to play a ton of minutes as a redshirt freshman this upcoming season as Kofi Cockburn returned. But having him get the speed of the game as well as the physicality is going to be important. I think his development over the next year will tell you who is going to be starting at the No. 4 spot in 2021-22.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins

Another development player for the upcoming season is going to be Coleman Hawkins. Hawkins is entering the Illinois basketball program this season after pledging his commitment to the Orange and Blue for the class of 2020.

The 6-foot-10, 195-pound Antelope, California native should come into the Illinois basketball team and redshirt year one. The three-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 157 player in the class of 2020 should be an asset to this team down the road, though. I expect him to play in some games, but he shouldn’t see too much action. His size development and speed of the game will be important. Following next season, Hawkins should transition into a primary backup at the No. 4 spot.

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