Projected Illinois basketball lineup after Luke Goode entered the transfer portal

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (SO)

With Luke Goode now off the roster, things get a little messy at the No. 2 guard spot. As of right now, Illinois doesn’t have much in the way of shooting. I am sure things will change in the coming days, but Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn could be in for a much bigger role next season.

Gibbs-Lawhorn showed a lot of talent in the limited time on the court as a freshman. He played in 28 games and averaged 2.5 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per contest. The willingness to shoot the three-point shot means he knows he can knock them down despite his 22.2% from beyond the arc last season. If the season started tomorrow, I would have Gibbs-Lawhorn starting at the No. 2 guard spot for the Illini.

Backup: Transfer Portal/Recruiting

There are plenty of players either in the transfer portal or in the recruiting market for the Illinois basketball team to go out and get. That is how I want the Illini to use one of the four scholarships available for next season.

The player I am looking at right now is someone like DJ Wagner. Kentucky lost Wagner to the transfer portal, and now that we have Orlando Antigua on the coaching staff, it would be great if he could bring Wagner with him. A former top-10 recruit, Wagner has the ability to run the backcourt with Boswell. They would be a great one-two punch. If Wagner did come to Illinois, he would start over Gibbs-Lawhorn.