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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup for the start of the 2022-23 season

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 20, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) reacts against the Houston Cougars in the first half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) reacts against the Houston Cougars in the first half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
Matthew Mayer celebrates a successful 3-pointer during Baylor’s victory at Oklahoma in January.Syndication The Oklahoman /

No. 4 Forward/Guard

Starter: Matthew Mayer (G/SR) – 6’ 9”, 225-pounds

You don’t go out and get one of the best transfer hauls in the country and not start the transfers that come into the program. A transfer who I am excited about watching this season is Matthew Mayer. The former Baylor Bear big man is now with the Illini, and he should be starting for the Orange and Blue at the No. 4 spot.

Mayer’s winning experience is going to be invaluable to the Illinois basketball program. He won the national championship with Baylor just two seasons ago, and that winning mentality will filter down to the young guys on the team. Statistically, I love what Mayer brings to the table as well. He averaged 9.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 assists per game last season. He also had a year, two years ago, where he hit 39.5% from three-point range. Having Mayer as a stretch No. 4 is going to do wonders for the Illini.

Backup: Luke Goode (SO) – 6’ 7”, 210-pounds

It is so hard not to have Luke Goode starting. He has the talent to start for numerous teams in college basketball, but for one more year at Illinois, he will be a primary backup. I have Goode backing up Mayer at the No. 4 spot.

I think Goode has a chance to play the No. 2 through No. 4 spots, though. He is a versatile player who isn’t afraid to throw his body on the floor for a ball. Last season, we got to see sparks of what Goode could end up being as a player. He would finish his freshman year averaging 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds per contest, and his 37.2% from three-point range should excite Illini fans. Goode will be a sparkplug for Illinois in 2022-23.

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