Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with Quincy Guerrier

By Rees Woodcock

TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Forward Quincy Guerrier #13 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a three-pointer during the game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on February 19, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Wildcats won 84-81 against the Oregon Ducks. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Forward Quincy Guerrier #13 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a three-pointer during the game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on February 19, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Wildcats won 84-81 against the Oregon Ducks. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Illinois basketball
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – MARCH 15: Justin Harmon #0 of the Utah Valley Wolverines reacts after hitting a three-pointer against the New Mexico Lobos during the second half of the first round game in the 2023 National Invitation Tournament at The Pit on March 15, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Wolverines defeated the Lobos 83-69. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Illinois basketball added one of the best players in the transfer portal on Monday afternoon.

Securing the commitment of Quincy Guerrier was huge for the Illini. We needed a big transfer portal snag for the frontcourt and Guerrier delivered.

That frontcourt need is even stronger if we don’t have Coleman Hawkins return. Both Hawkins and Terrence Shannon Jr. have declared for the NBA Draft, and there is a chance neither of them come back to Champaign.

So, I put together a projected lineup with those two not coming back and Guerrier inserted into the roster. This lineup could do some damage in the Big Ten, but there are a few scholarships still left to fill.

Here is the projected Illinois basketball lineup with Quincy Guerrier.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Justin Harmon

Illinois basketball doesn’t have a true point guard who has experience entering the 2023-24 campaign. Brad Underwood doesn’t play young guys unless they are extremely talented, and we don’t have that at point guard just yet. So, I think there is a shot that Justin Harmon starts at the No. 1 guard spot.

Harmon is coming into the program as more of a No. 2 guard, but I think having him as the point and being able to score at a high clip is exciting. Harmon finished last season averaging 2.9 assists per game, which would have ranked No. 2 on the Illini. The distributing ability is there, and I think this would be the best option for Illinois.

Backup: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn

I am curious how quickly the younger guards can get up to speed with the college game. Being able to flip Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn from Purdue was a big get. Now can the talented guard help Illinois this season?

I see Gibbs-Lawhorn coming in and giving the Illini 5-10 minutes per game as a backup guard. He will probably be shifted around at the various guard roles because he is a versatile player. Hopefully, we can see Gibbs-Lawhorn develop quickly, and he is a solid contributor come NCAA tournament time.

Backup: Niccolo Moretti

Many Illinois fans are high on Niccolo Moretti. I understand that he is a true point guard, but it is so rare to have Underwood trust young guys. If Moretti played last season, then I probably would have put him higher on the depth chart.

Moretti is coming in as an unranked player in the class of 2023. He already joined the team in the winter, so the experience of being around the guys is a plus. But practice is different from regular Big Ten game action. Could Moretti work his way quickly up the depth chart, of course, but for now, I have him as a backup guard.

Home/Illinois Basketball