Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Dain Dainja

No. 5 Forward/Center

Starter: Dain Dainja

Illinois basketball received some huge news this past week. While looking for a big man for the future, the Illini ended up landing Dain Dainja. He is a transfer from Baylor and is someone this team can rally around at the No. 5 spot. I have Dainja coming in and starting at center for Illinois next season.

Dainja committed to Baylor from the 2020 class. He is was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 91 player in the class of 2020. He was also the No. 18 center and the No. 3 player coming out of Minnesota. There is still a lot to prove for Dainja. After redshirting last year, he wasn’t seeing much playing time with the Bears this season. I need to see more out of him, but I think he gets the starting No. 5 spot next year.

Backup: Omar Payne

I feel like the Illinois basketball team is getting pretty much what I expected them to get out of Omar Payne. He is a solid defensive player, but his offensive prowess is just not there. He is only playing 8.7 minutes per game for this Illini this season.

I just don’t see Payne getting the starting nod next year. He is a solid backup who can come in and fill minutes, but I think that is about it for Payne as a center for the Orange and Blue.

Backup: Brandon Lieb

Brandon Lieb is fun to watch when he sees in the court in garbage time. He isn’t going to play meaningful minutes this season or into the future. I have him as the second backup at the No. 5 spot. It is also nice to have a 7-foot big man on the bench, though.