Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Early projected Illini lineup for the 2021-22 season

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 27, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (left) and guard Da'Monte Williams (right) celebrate during the second half against the Ohio Bobcats at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (left) and guard Da'Monte Williams (right) celebrate during the second half against the Ohio Bobcats at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 12: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini attempts a layup in the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament quarterfinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 12: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini attempts a layup in the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament quarterfinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Guard

  • Starter: Trent Frazier – 4-star

For the 2021-22 campaign, I have Trent Frazier being shifted down to the No. 3 guard spot. This is more of a shooting guard role where he should be running around the court and creating his own shots off screens. Having Frazier return to the Illinois basketball team is huge for this upcoming season. Without him, the veteran leadership just wouldn’t have been there.

Frazier is one of those legendary Illinois players who will never get mentioned by generations in the future. He bleeds Orange and Blue through and through. This kid entered the Illinois program as a four-star and ranked as the No. 109 player in the class of 2017. He stuck with the Illini through a coaching change. His role changed multiple times throughout his stop in Champaign. But Frazier took it all in stride. He is easily one of my favorite players of all time.

  • Backup: Austin Hutcherson – NR

While Illinois has added a few players via the transfer portal, we are also getting a player healthy who joined the team a couple of years ago. It will be so nice to have Austin Hutcherson suit up for the Illini this season. He has been working so hard to get back after dealing with injuries last year. Now it is time for him to shine.

Coming out of high school, Hutcherson wasn’t ranked or rated by recruiting sites. He took the small college route and performed well. After two years at DIII Wesleyan University, Hutcherson took his game to the next level and committed to Illinois. He couldn’t play his first year due to transfer rules and then he was injured last season. But Illinois is getting a great player back for 2021-22. Hutcherson averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his final season with Wesleyan. If Illinois can get half of those numbers, I would be happy.

Home/Illinois Basketball