Illinois Basketball: 5 biggest storylines for 2020-21 season

5. How will Andre Curbelo adjust to his role?

One of the most underrated pieces of this Illini team for this season will be Andre Curbelo. The top-50 point guard is regarded as a great passer with a knack for finding the open man on the court. His skill and basketball IQ are certainly something that any team would take, but where does he fit into the Illini rotation this season?

While Curbelo may not see the same minutes this season as he will in the coming years, he will still see enough minutes for him to make a consistent impact on the court. Curbelo will be one of, if not the first guy off the bench for the Illini and will be the main replacement for projected starter Trent Frazier.

When in the game, the lineup for the Illini with Curbelo may have to change a touch from that of when Frazier is getting minutes. The two guards have a little difference in their game with Frazier being more of a shooter and Curbelo more of a passer, therefore the style of play may change just a touch when each is in the game at their respective times.

The skill level Curbelo brings to the Illini will certainly be a difference-maker off the bench this season and will allow for Brad Underwood to have a solid back-up point guard to replace his starter. In this past season, the Illini utilized Andres Feliz in a similar role but, since he is now graduated, Curbelo could quite possibly bring the bulldog mentality that Feliz brought to the Illini.

With many solid players fighting for minutes this year, Curbelo will still see a solid chunk of playing time in his freshman season. While it may not be the same amount that he will see in the coming years, he is certain to still make an impact wherever he fits into the Illini rotation.