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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Arkansas State

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 12, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (13) runs through the smoke machine as he takes the court with teammates before the start of the first half against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (13) runs through the smoke machine as he takes the court with teammates before the start of the first half against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 12: Da’Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini controls the ball against Keyon Wesley #22 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves during the second half at State Farm Center on November 12, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 12: Da’Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini controls the ball against Keyon Wesley #22 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves during the second half at State Farm Center on November 12, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. Starting lineup didn’t include Da’Monte

The first interesting lineup change has happened just two games into the season. I was wondering what the starting lineup was going to look like when the roster was at full strength, and we may have seen a glimpse of that on Friday night.

Some of the usuals were in the starting lineup. Andre Curbelo was back, and he handled the main point guard duties. Trent Frazier returned and was his usually scoring No. 2 guard. Jacob Grandison also continued his tear in the starting lineup scoring 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field.

With Kofi Cockburn out for the first three games, it looks like Omar Payne is the starter in his place. This makes sense considering Brad Underwood probably sees him as the primary backup to Kofi. So, Payne has been the starter the past two games.

The big change I noticed on Friday night was with Da’Monte Williams. Williams was a starter for the majority of the season last year, and he started in the Jackson State game. But Underwood switched things up a little bit.

Instead of sending Coleman Hawkins back to the bench, Underwood kept the soaring sophomore in the starting lineup and sent Williams to the reserves. This has me intrigued.

Illinois was nearly at full health on Friday night. The only players missing are Kofi and Austin Hutcherson. I don’t think Hutcherson is going to start, but the starting lineup for the foreseeable future is looking something like Curbelo, Frazier, Grandison, Hawkins, and Kofi. That is a lineup I support completely.

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