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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the RJ Melendez commitment

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 2, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) celebrate a three point basket in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) celebrate a three point basket in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
Feb 16, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) celebrates after his team scores against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois basketball team added to the family just days ago when RJ Melendez decided to commit to the Orange and Blue.

This is a big commitment for the Illini considering they haven’t received a commitment for the class of 2021 in nearly a year. Melendez now joins Luke Goode as the two pledges for this class. With the talented wing onboard, what does the Illinois lineup look like?

Here is the projected Illini lineup with the addition of RJ Melendez.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Andre Curbelo (SO)

I believe the obvious starter at the No. 1 guard spot heading into next season is Andre Curbelo. It seems that Brad Underwood is already grooming Curbelo to take over the main ball-handling skills next season.

Curbelo is getting a solid 20.3 minutes per game as a true freshman. This type of playing time means Underwood sees this kid as the future and rightfully so. Curbelo has shown flashes of brilliance so far through 20 games at the collegiate level. His 7.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game will only grow as he matures as a player.

Backup: Austin Hutcherson (R-SR)

It is hard to determine who will be the primary backup to Curbelo next season. It is the Ayo Dosunmu and Curbelo show right now as far as who brings the ball up the court. But who will Curbelo’s backup be next year? I have Austin Hutcherson slotted in as the main backup.

Hutcherson has yet to play a single minute for the Illini this season due to injury, but look for this kid to get healthy and be a tremendous asset to the team by next year. Don’t let his 6-foot-6 frame fool you either, Hutcherson can distribute the ball well. He actually averaged 3.2 assists per game in his final season at Wesleyan University. Having Hutcherson as the primary backup is not what I want, but it is the best fit with the way the roster is currently constructed.

Backup: Recruit/Transfer (Scholarship #1)

This is what I am wanting as the primary backup moving into next season. I want Illinois, with one of their two remaining scholarships, to land a point guard who can control the offense.

There isn’t a ton out there as far as a true freshman is concerned, but Illinois could always look toward the graduate transfer market. Having someone come in with experience will only help this team more. This would also free up Hutcherson to move to a more natural position.

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