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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup if Kofi Cockburn returns

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the free throw line in the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the free throw line in the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball
Feb 16, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) celebrates after his team scores against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

On Tuesday, the news broke that Illinois basketball big man Kofi Cockburn was withdrawing from the NBA Draft.

This would have been great news if not for the fact Kofi decided to enter the transfer portal just days earlier. Now the legendary big man is looking for a home, but he has not counted out the Orange and Blue just yet.

While the Illini are still alive for Kofi’s commitment, it does seem that there is momentum pointing towards another program. With that being said, the Illinois lineup would look extremely dangerous if Kofi does come back to Champaign.

Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup if Kofi Cockburn returns.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Andre Curbelo

The fact Illinois could end up getting Kofi Cockburn back at the No. 5 would make Andre Curbelo shine even more at the starting No. 1 guard spot for the Illini. Curbelo is taking over this role on the team, and it will be his as long as he is with the Orange and Blue.

Kofi is going to want to play well in his final year in college, so having someone like Curbelo dishing him the ball would make the big man look better in the paint. As a true freshman, Curbelo averaged 9.1 points, 4.2 assists and 4 rebounds in only 21.5 minutes of action per game. Those numbers are sure to increase as he is now the main guard with the ball.

Backup: Rotation

I don’t think Illinois is going to have a true backup point guard entering the upcoming season, so when Curbelo needs a break, there should be a rotation of a few players who are going to be handling the ball.

Trent Frazier and Da’Monte Williams are both experienced guards who can handle the ball well. I think they would be in the rotation of play callers on offense. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Austin Hutcherson get in the mix as a potential replacement for Curbelo when he needs rest. Hutcherson averaged over three assists per game at the DIII level, so there is distribution ability with the talented transfer.

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