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

No. 5 Center/Forward

Starter: Omar Payne

We get to the man of the hour. The most recent transfer Illinois has landed is Omar Payne. Brad Underwood needed a big man to add to the roster, and he delivered with a former four-star recruit. Payne was actually one spot ahead of Kofi Cockburn in the 2019 recruiting class.

Payne didn’t do much in the way of developing at Florida. He spent two years there and pretty much averaged the same numbers of 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. But Underwood has done a great job developing big men, so I have no doubt Payne can come in and start at the No. 5 spot from day one.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins

The toughest player to slot out of everyone is Coleman Hawkins. I actually think The Hawk has the talent to start for the Illini this upcoming season, but there are two options are ahead of him right now. But, if things fall a certain way, there could be a starting spot opening for him.

Hawkins’ numbers don’t jump off the page. He only averaged 1.4 points and 0.8 rebounds as a freshman, but when he did see the court, I loved what I saw out of the kid. His length is something special, and I think his shot will develop nicely over the years. He reminds me of a Brian Cook type of player. I have Hawkins backing up Payne at the No. 5 spot, though.

Backup: Brandon Lieb

Illinois has two big men who probably won’t see too much time in the future. Brandon Lieb is one of them. If he can get a little quicker and bigger, then there might be a place in the lineup for the young center, but I don’t see him getting many minutes in the coming years.

Backup: Jermain Hamlin

The same goes for Jermain Hamlin. Illinois used Hamlin more two years ago than last season. Hamlin has nice size, but he has a rawness to his offensive game that makes him struggle to score the basketball. Hamlin is a reserve guy for the foreseeable future.