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Projected 2025-26 Illinois basketball lineup without Jeremiah Fears

Illinois basketball lost a four-star point guard on Monday, and this forces the projected Illini lineup for 2025-26 to change

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood leads a team huddle during the second half against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood leads a team huddle during the second half against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
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No. 2 Guard

Starter: Kylan Boswell (SR)

With Jeremiah Fears off the books, the biggest issue I see right now is depth for the Illinois basketball team. Of course, Brad Underwood and his coaching staff can recruit well, so I have no doubt Fears’ spot will be taken by an elite player. Starting at the No. 2 spot on the court is Kylan Boswell.

Boswell is entering the Illinois program after spending two seasons with Arizona. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 37.9% from three-point range as a sophomore. As of right now, Boswell isn’t projected in the ESPN early 2025 NBA mock draft, so I have him still on the roster. The senior should be one of the best players in the country as a senior.

Backup: Scholarship/Transfer Portal

This is where the depth issues come into play. If Fears was on the roster, I would have likely moved Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn to the primary backup role at the No. 2 spot. But this spot looks to be wide open.

The Illinois coaching staff would need to go out and get some nice pieces to put around Boswell. As of right now, we have four scholarships available, and that is if no one departs in the transfer portal. Getting a solid shooter like Ben Humrichous or someone of that nature would be perfect for this role.

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