Illinois Basketball: Predicting starting lineup/depth chart for 2021-22 season
By Tommy Farmer
Starter: Austin Hutcherson
Backups: Da’Monte Williams, RJ Melendez
The forward positions are where the biggest questions lie for the Illini. The problem isn’t not having enough talent, but rather how to allocate the minutes and who to play with who. Coach Underwood will spend a lot of time tinkering with different lineups and rotations in the early parts of the season.
I believe he will ultimately start Austin Hutcherson at small forward on opening day. Hutcherson, who sat out the last two seasons due to transferring and then an injury, is the biggest unknown on the Illini to those outside of the program. However, Underwood and those who have seen him in practice are raving about his abilities. The 6’6” wing is an athletic playmaker with a silky, smooth jumper. If he is as good as they say, he will be the starter at the three due to the upside he brings.
Backing up Hutcherson is someone who Illini fans have seen a ton of and have grown to love in Da’Monte Williams. Williams is a fifth-year senior who does whatever is asked of him and plays his role as well as anyone. He very well could be a starter at either the three or the four, but his selfless attitude makes him a worthy candidate to come off the bench.
There is no doubt Williams will find a healthy dose of minutes for himself, and I think he’s more worried about being on the court at the end of games, anyways. Williams will be making life miserable for opposing players and doing the little things that nobody wants to do for the Illini, regardless of whether he starts games.
Like Goode and Podziemski, freshman RJ Melendez is looking at a crowded depth chart at the small forward position. He projects as an athletic, slashing wing, but it’s unclear how ready his game is for the collegiate level. If he impresses in his early opportunities, there is no reason why he can’t crack the rotation in meaningful games. The Illini are in a luxurious position where, barring injuries, they don’t need to count on him for contributions, but anything that he does provide is a bonus.