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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Jayden Epps

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 7, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; The national anthem is preformed prior to the first half before a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; The national anthem is preformed prior to the first half before a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 13: Andre Curbelo #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after a dunk in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 13, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Jayden Epps added to the Illinois basketball recruiting momentum on Tuesday when he pledged to the Orange and Blue.

The Illini landing Epps is huge for the program because depth was a slight issue in certain areas of the court. Epps solves those issues, though. He is a top 70 recruit who will come in and be a big piece to the puzzle from day one.

With the addition of Epps comes a lineup change. Where will he make the biggest impact for the Illini when he joins the program in 2022?

Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with the addition of Jayden Epps.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Andre Curbelo (4-star)

The starter has and will remain Andre Curbelo at the No. 1 guard spot. It is rare that Illinois gets a legend at the point guard role, but Curbelo fits the mold of being one of the greatest to ever do it for the Orange and Blue.

Curbelo had a tremendous freshman campaign that saw him out-shine some of the best players on the team. A true freshman came into an experienced program and was the most important player on the court for numerous games throughout the season. I expect Curbelo to take another step forward this season, and by the time the 2022-23 campaign rolls around, he should be in the discussion for the best player in college basketball.

Backup: Jayden Epps (4-star)

I believe Curbelo is going to leave the Illinois basketball program earlier than the traditional four years. The NBA will come calling. That is one of the main reasons why I was so excited when the Illini were able to land Jayden Epps.

Epps committed to Illinois on Tuesday, and I see him getting playing time early on in his career. He is coming into the program as a top 70 recruit, so there is an expectation he will play early. Epps is the truest form of a combo guard. He can light up the scoreboard but also has handles like a true point guard. I think he will start as the backup to Curbelo while still getting 10-15 minutes per contest. By his sophomore season, he should be the starter at the No. 1 guard spot.

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