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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Kofi Cockburn returning

By Rees Woodcock

Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) is announced before the Big Ten Tournament title game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.Photos Big Ten Championship Basketball Ohio State Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) is announced before the Big Ten Tournament title game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.Photos Big Ten Championship Basketball Ohio State Illinois /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a basket against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers during the first half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a basket against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers during the first half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

No. 5 Center

Starter: Kofi Cockburn

He’s back. The man, the myth, the legend has returned to Champaign for one more go at a national title. I will be the first to admit that I was wrong on Kofi. I fully expected him to stay in the NBA Draft. I think expected him to head to Kentucky after he entered the transfer portal. But I was wrong. The big man is back with the Illini.

Kofi is going to be inserted back into the Illinois basketball lineup as the starting No. 5. He would be the starting No. 5 for any team in the country. I believe Kofi is going to be the best player in college basketball as well. He is someone who could dominate the college game. Illinois fans are lucky to have the best big man in program history back in town.

Backup: Omar Payne

And just like that, the No. 5 spot has depth this season. I have incoming transfer Omar Payne backing up Kofi at center. This is the perfect scenario for Payne, as he is a former four-star big man who needs to learn the position. He struggled with Florida, but Illinois should be able to develop him into a serviceable big.

Next. Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Jayden Epps. dark

Backup: Brandon Lieb

The final spot in the lineup is Brandon Lieb. Development is key for Lieb, so having him play in blowout games is what I want to see. With the way things are trending, the Illini might need Lieb as a primary backup in 2022-23. So, that means his development this season could be crucial. I have Lieb as a backup at the No. 5 spot.

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