Busting Brackets
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Illinois Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Fighting Illini

By Lukas Harkins

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 14: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini gives instructions to his team against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the United Center on March 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 14: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini gives instructions to his team against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the United Center on March 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Frazier #1 of Illinois. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Frazier #1 of Illinois. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Projected Backcourt Starters

Ayo Dosunmu | 6-foot-5 | 185 lbs | Sophomore

Ayo Dosunmu is an electrifying returning sophomore. At 6-foot-5, he brings plenty of size to the lead guard spot in the rotation and he is remarkably quick with the ball in his hands. Although he struggled with his shot last season, Dosunmu still put together a very strong campaign while being named to the All-Freshman Team in the Big Ten. He will now be expected to take another leap as a sophomore into superstardom before departing for the NBA after the season. He is that talented. Dosunmu averaged 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game last season.

Trent Frazier | 6-foot-2 | 175 lbs | Junior

Arguably one of the most underappreciated players in the entire country, Trent Frazier is a strong scorer with solid playmaking ability. With the arrival of Dosunmu last season, Frazier was able to play more minutes off the ball and he thrived as a result. He averaged 13.7 points per game on the season while improving his 3-point percentage to 40.6%. Considering he lets it fly from beyond the arc at high volumes, this percentage puts him among the best snipers in the entire nation. Frazier pairs very well with Dosunmu in the backcourt as a result of his shooting and opportunistic defense. They will form a dynamic guard duo this year.

Alan Griffin | 6-foot-5 | 195 lbs | Sophomore

Even though Alan Griffin only averaged 7.8 minutes per game last season, he showed some flashes of his potential.  The 6-foot-5 wing is an impressive shooter from beyond the arc and can fill a variety of roles while on the court. This much was on complete display as Griffin emerged as a strong contributor during Illinois’ offseason trip to Italy. I do not want to buy into his overseas performances too much but it is clear that he will compete for the third starting spot alongside Frazier and Dosunmu. He showed increased confidence on the foreign trip and that could go a long way for the rising sophomore. Watch for him to be a major perimeter threat for the Fighting Illini.

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