Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup after the Jayden Epps departure

No. 5 Center

Starter: Dain Dainja (JR)

On Monday, Illinois received some positive roster news. Big man Dain Dainja announced that he was returning to the program for another season. He is going to come back to Champaign and start for the Illini at the No. 5 spot.

Dainja was a huge force for the Illini in his first season playing. He averaged 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per contest. I think his upside is extremely high. He has great athletic ability, and his touch within 10 feet is impressive. Dainja’s free throw shooting needs some work, though. I would also like to see a better reaction time and guarding ability off the dribble. Overall, though, I am comfortable with him starting.

Backup: Brandon Lieb (SR)

And just like that, Brandon Lieb is extremely important to the Illinois basketball program. I never thought I would say those words, but the little bit we have seen out of him has been solid.

Lieb played in 16 games this past season and provided some valuable minutes. There were times Dainja would get into foul trouble early, and Lieb held the fort down. I don’t think he is going to get a ton of playing time in 2023-24, but it is nice to have a 7-foot big man stashed on the bench.

Backup: Scholarship #4

Illinois would then use the final scholarship on another big man. We don’t have depth at this position, and Lieb is about to depart the program after the upcoming season. Brad Underwood needs to find a solid body that can fill some minutes in the future.