No. 3 Wing
Starter: Tre White (SR)
Whenever I post a projected Illinois lineup, I have Tre White starting. I have seen some people saying that White is not going to start this season. The reason I have him starting is that I can’t see a player like White, who has started 55 out of 62 games in his first two seasons of college basketball, transferring to a place to come off the bench. So, not only do I have White starting next season, but I also have him starting in 2025-26 at the No. 3 spot.
Over the past two seasons, White has continued to improve his game. He averaged 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game with Louisville as a sophomore. I think this kid is going to be sensational for the Illini, and by his senior year, he should be an All-Big Ten caliber slasher on the wing.
Backup: Jake Davis (JR)
People continue to be enamored by some of the great talent that Illinois is bringing into the program, but I think the sneakiest addition of the offseason for any program is Jake Davis.
Davis had a great freshman campaign for Mercer. With the Bears, he averaged 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 38.7% from three-point range. I have Davis being a big backup for the Illini next season, and as a junior, he should see 20 or more minutes playing multiple positions. I have him slotted as the primary backup at the No. 3 spot for now, though.