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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Omar Payne

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on from the bench during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois defeated Penn State 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on from the bench during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois defeated Penn State 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Jacob Grandison #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Keith Clemons #5 of the Loyola Chicago Ramblers during the first half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Jacob Grandison #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Keith Clemons #5 of the Loyola Chicago Ramblers during the first half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Guard/Forward

Starter: Jacob Grandison

Last season, Illinois went with a smaller lineup when it came to No. 1 through No. 4. The No. 4 for the Orange and Blue was Jacob Grandison. To begin his Illini career, Grandison seemed to struggle. But, as time went on, you could see him starting to get down what Illinois was trying to do. He would end up finishing the season averaging 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

Heading into the 2021-22 campaign, I am going to shift Grandison over to the No. 3 spot. With a big offseason addition, Illinois has more flexibility when it comes to the middle of their lineup. Having Grandison at the No. 3 will enable him to play on the wing and become more of a slasher, which I believe he can do well. If he plays here, I would be excited to see what he can do for the Illini.

Backup: RJ Melendez

Illinois will have to rely on a lot of freshmen talent for minutes next season. At the backup No. 2 spot, I have Luke Goode. He will get a ton of minutes for the Illini. I then follow that up with RJ Melendez as the backup at the No. 3 spot.

Melendez’s game is very similar to that of Grandison. He has great size for the No. 3 spot and can do just about everything on the court. He dabbles in the three-point ball but that isn’t his specialty by any means. Every statistical category will be between three and six every game. That is what I would look for if Melendez is the backup at the No. 3 spot.

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