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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Zacharie Perrin

By Rees Woodcock

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball
Ensworth’s Skyy Clark (55) pushes past Brentwood’s Macen Redner (24) during the second quarter at Brentwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.Bhs Ehs Bbb 111920 An 008 /

On Monday, the Illinois basketball team added another piece to what will hopefully be a championship puzzle.

The Illini were able to add a big man in Zacharie Perrin to the class of 2022. He isn’t rated or ranked by 247Sports, but that is just purely based on him coming over from France. Judging by some of his offers such as Florida, Memphis, and Texas, and the clips I have seen of him, Perrin is a pretty good player.

Thankfully, Illinois was able to pull in a commitment from Perrin. He adds to an already stout frontcourt for the Illini. But where will he be slotted exactly?

Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with the addition of Zacharie Perrin.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Skyy Clark

The Illinois basketball lineup is looking pretty stout for the 2022-23 campaign, and the program will be led by incoming freshman, Skyy Clark.

Landing Clark was a big deal for multiple reasons. The biggest out of all the reasons was the fact Illinois didn’t have a point guard for the upcoming season. Trent Frazier was kind of the point guard last season, but he is now overseas playing professional basketball. The Illini needed a great leader bringing the ball up the court, and that is what they are getting with Clark. He is a four-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 31 player in the country. I feel comfortable with him starting at the No. 1 spot.

Backup: Jayden Epps

Illinois’ point guard role this season could be a one-two punch of freshmen. I believe Clark is locked in at the starting No. 1 spot, and backing him up could easily be incoming freshman, Jayden Epps.

Epps is a dynamic guard who can put up points in bunches. I think Epps is going to be eased into playing time in year one, but his sophomore season is when I fully expect him to potentially be starting. Thankfully, the Illini now have solid depth at point guard. This was a big worry, but Brad Underwood eased those worries.

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