Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Da’Monte Williams returning

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 25, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) reacts during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) reacts during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Illinois basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Andre Curbelo #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini lays on the ground after a play against 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) /

The Illinois basketball lineup is changing a little bit, as the program welcomed back Da’Monte Williams on Wednesday.

Having Williams return to the Illini helps with the depth issues greatly. He is going to bring his amazing three-point percentage and lockdown defense with him too. This lineup seems to be looking better by the day.

Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with Da’Monte Williams.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Andre Curbelo

I believe, no matter what happens the rest of the offseason, Andre Curbelo will be the starting No. 1. The maturation of Curbelo in just 31 games this past season is something to marvel at. The kid was a magician with the ball and will be the player bringing the rock up the court on a nightly basis.

Expect Curbelo’s numbers to increase greatly during the 2021-22 campaign as well. He only averaged 9.1 points, 4.2 assists and 4 rebounds per game as a freshman. I expect him to score somewhere in the ballpark of 12 points and add in another 7 assists and 5 rebounds. It wouldn’t shock me to see Curbelo have multiple triple-doubles for the Illini in a single season.

Scholarship #1

Even with the return of Da’Monte Williams, Illinois has two scholarships to fill for the upcoming season. Depth at point guard is a major concern right now, so using one of those scholarships on a backup to Curbelo should be a priority.

This scholarship could be used via the high school market but, at this point, it is more likely to be used in the transfer portal. Illinois needs to stabilize their backcourt with another talented backup. This would help the team greatly moving forward.

Home/Illinois Basketball