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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup to start the 2021-22 season

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 6, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after call during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after call during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Jacob Grandison #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Keith Clemons #5 of 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Jacob Grandison #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Keith Clemons #5 of 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Guard/Forward

Starter: Jacob Grandison

I believe Jacob Grandison is a Swiss Army Knife for the Illinois basketball team. This kid can do it all, and that is why I have him starting at the No. 4 spot for the Illini this season.

Grandison started both of the exhibition games for the Orange and Blue and played well in each contest. In the final game against Indiana (PA), Grandison finished with 13 points and five rebounds on 4-of-11 shooting from the field. He was also 3-of-7 from three-point range. If Grandison can continue finding his three-point range, then there is no telling what the ceiling will be for him this year.

Backup: RJ Melendez

It will be interesting to see which of the three incoming freshmen will receive the most playing time in 2021-22. I think there is a solid shot that RJ Melendez will receive the most minutes purely because there is less depth at the No. 4 spot.

With that said, I think Melendez is a really good player. He was able to receive 12 minutes in the final exhibition game against Indiana (PA), so there is confidence in this kid already. In the time Melendez received, he put up two points, three rebounds, and one assist. There is going to be a learning curve with these kids, but I think the future is so bright for the Illini.

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