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Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons Quincy Guerrier should pick the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 27: Quincy Guerrier #1 of the Syracuse Orange looks for a rebound in the second half of their Sweet Sixteen game against the Houston Cougars in the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 27, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 27: Quincy Guerrier #1 of the Syracuse Orange looks for a rebound in the second half of their Sweet Sixteen game against the Houston Cougars in the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 27, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Mar 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks to the crowd after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks to the crowd after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Starting job

The last note I wanted to put down is about Quincy Guerrier coming into the Illinois basketball program and being a starter from day one. There is no question in my mind he has the starting job from the time he steps on the campus.

As mentioned in slide two, Guerrier averaged 13.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last season. Those are numbers of a starter. Coming into the Illinois program, I could see him getting the nod at the No. 4 spot in the Illini lineup.

I believe in the last projected Illinois lineup, I had Austin Hutcherson taking over the No. 4 spot, but I would switch him out for Guerrier. Hutcherson is a great player who can hit shots from anywhere on the court, but he hasn’t played in a couple of years due to sitting out and injury. It might take him a while to get up to speed.

Guerrier would then slide into the No. 4 spot and put up even better numbers than his sophomore campaign. I see him averaging somewhere in the ballpark of 15 points per game, and most of those points will come off of him getting rebounds.

The rebounding numbers will increase for Guerrier as well. I would imagine he hits the 10 rebounds per game mark, giving the talented forward a double-double average for the Illini. This is where I see Guerrier next season.

Next. NBA mock draft has Ayo Dosunmu in first round. dark

I believe Guerrier should choose Illinois because we are a title contender, he could be the next Illini player to go in the NBA Draft and the starting job is waiting for him. Illinois basketball needs this kid on the roster for 2021-22.

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