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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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Homestead Spartans’ Luke Goode (20) reacts after the final buzzer against the Lawrence North Wildcats’ sounds in overtime during the game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, at Lawrence North High School. The Homestead Spartans’ defeated Lawrence North Wildcats’ 55-50 in overtime.Cent02 7e7c7bcpojsza1zlhjs Original
Homestead Spartans’ Luke Goode (20) reacts after the final buzzer against the Lawrence North Wildcats’ sounds in overtime during the game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, at Lawrence North High School. The Homestead Spartans’ defeated Lawrence North Wildcats’ 55-50 in overtime.Cent02 7e7c7bcpojsza1zlhjs Original /

No. 3 Guard

Starter: Luke Goode (4-star)

I adjusted this starting lineup compared to the ones I have done in the past. I am now putting Luke Goode into a starting spot. He should be able to fill the vacant No. 3 guard role once Illinois loses most of their starting lineup after the 2021-22 campaign.

Goode is a sharpshooting guard from Homestead High School. I believe this upcoming season is going to be extremely important for Goode and his future with the Illini. He should be able to develop his game to the point where he can move into a starting role as a sophomore. I see Goode getting somewhere between 5-12 minutes per game as a freshman. This will get his feet wet enough where he can start blossoming as a player.

Backup: Austin Hutcherson (GR Transfer)

Full disclosure, I think there is a chance Austin Hutcherson is starting when the 2022-23 season comes around. But we haven’t seen Hutcherson in an Illini uniform yet. So, it is hard to determine how good he is going to be as of right now.

There are videos out there of Hutcherson shooting the three-point ball well. He seems to be in good shape and healthy. But, for now, I am going to slot him as the primary backup at the No. 3 spot for 2022-23. This is where I think he would fit the best. He has a good shot and tremendous size for the position. There is no doubt Hutcherson will get his fair share of playing time as well.

Backup: Reggie Bass (3-star)

The third member of the 2022 class is Reggie Bass. Bass is a good player who is just inside the top 200 nationally. I think a redshirt in year one might not be a terrible idea. This would enable the Illini to save Bass a year of eligibility while still getting him ready for the college game. I have him as a backup at the No. 3 spot. He will probably see some minutes as a freshman but will then take the redshirt.

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