Fansided

Illinois basketball: 3 starting lineup options for 2020-2021 season

By Mike Phillips

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball starting lineup
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Next-best scenario

  • Point Guard: Da’Monte Williams
  • Shooting Guard: Adam Miller
  • Small Forward: Austin Hutcherson
  • Power Forward: Giorgi Bezhanishvili
  • Center: Kofi Cockburn

The big difference between this lineup and the previous one is the clear absence of Dosunmu. In this case, Dosunmu decides that his best option is to go pro now, leaving the Illini without their star player.

No one will be able to completely fill Dosunmu’s shoes, so expecting a one-for-one replacement for Dosunmu’s production is a pipe dream. The load will have to be split between several players, including Miller.

The incoming freshman will be in line for increased responsibility here, which could be enticing for a player currently ranked inside the ESPN 100’s top 30. There are still elements of Miller’s game that need work, such as developing a more consistent jump shot, but he should still have an immediate impact as a freshman.

Dosunmu’s spot in the starting lineup should be filled by junior Austin Hutcherson, who had to sit out last season after transferring in from Wesleyan. Hutcherson was an explosive scorer there, averaging 20 points per game as a sophomore and knocking down 39.2 percent of his three-point attempts.

The upside of this group without Dosunmu is clearly not as high, but this entry of the Illini is still a top-15 team. A Big Ten finish similar to last years should be in the cards for Illinois here.