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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 /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Alfonso Plummer #25 of the Utah Utes stands on the court during a break in a game against the Oregon State Beavers during the first round of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 11, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Beavers defeated the Utes 71-69. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Alfonso Plummer #25 of the Utah Utes stands on the court during a break in a game against the Oregon State Beavers during the first round of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 11, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Beavers defeated the Utes 71-69. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Alfonso Plummer

The lineup is really getting a change starting at the No. 2 guard spot. A talented scorer like Alfonso Plummer isn’t joining the Illinois basketball program to ride the pine. This kid is coming in and, I believe, will start from day one. His scoring ability is going to help Illinois get back to the promised land.

Last season, with Utah, Plummer averaged 13.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1 assist per game. He was taking 6.7 three-pointers per game and hitting them at a clip of 38.3-percent. If we can get that type of shooting out of Plummer this season, Illinois should be contending for another Big Ten Tournament title.

Backup: Jacob Grandison

There will be a ton of experience on the Illinois basketball team this season. Some people might not like that I have Jacob Grandison backing up Plummer at the No. 2 spot, but I think this is where he would fit in well. Grandison is more of a defensive threat for the Illini, but he can give the program some good minutes off the bench.

Grandison ended up starting for about half the season last year for the Illini. He was in a timeshare with Da’Monte Williams, though. Brad Underwood used him more as a role player, and I think that is what will happen this season as well. Grandison averaged 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in his first season with Illinois. If we could get that production again this year, then we will be the deepest team in college basketball.

Backup: Luke Goode

I am extremely excited about the incoming class of 2021. They have so much talent, and one of the pieces to this solid class is Luke Goode. But, thankfully, the class of 2021 won’t have to contribute big minutes right away. I have the talented Homestead guard coming in and seeing probably somewhere in the ballpark of 5-10 minutes per game, at most.

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