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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup for the 2023 NCAA tournament

By Rees Woodcock

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 21: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles by Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the XFinity Center on January 21, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 21: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles by Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the XFinity Center on January 21, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball
Jan 21, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) dribbles during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

I think I speak for a lot of Illinois basketball fans when I say that I am extremely excited for the NCAA tournament.

The Illini start their run to the national title on Friday, and it should be a fun watch to see how far the program can go this season. But a thought keeps creeping into my mind about the future. What will Illinois look like when they enter the 2023 NCAA tournament?

There are some important pieces leaving the team after this current run, but there are also some big-time players joining the program. So, the team will look almost completely different next season.

Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup for the 2023 NCAA tournament.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Andre Curbelo (4-star)

While Andre Curbelo is currently coming off the bench for the Illinois basketball team, I believe he would be the starting point guard for the Illini in the 2023 NCAA tournament.

Curbelo’s Illini career has been kind of crazy thus far. He came in with so much electricity, but injuries and COVID set him back this season. Brad Underwood has been bringing Curbelo off the bench for the vast majority of the 2021-22 campaign, but he should step into more of a leadership role next season. I look for Curbelo’s 8.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game to increase when he gets the starting job. He should be around 12 points and seven assists per game entering the 2023 postseason.

Backup: Jayden Epps (4-star)

I believe the Illinois class of 2022 is going to make a huge impact on the program next season. Jayden Epps is one of the freshmen coming in. He is a four-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 48 player in the class of 2023. He is also the best player coming out of North Carolina.

Epps should enter as the backup to Curbelo at the No. 1 guard spot. Illinois doesn’t have another point guard, and thankfully, Epps is able to play both the No. 1 or No. 2 spots on the floor. Look for Epps to be getting 10-15 minutes per game entering the 2023 NCAA tournament.

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