Illinois Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Fighting Illini
By Tommy Farmer
Probable Starters
Andre Curbelo
After a long offseason of accumulating endless buzz in “breakout star” conversations, it’s time for Andre Curbelo to prove it on the court. The flashy point guard will take on the role of lead guard in Brad Underwood’s offense following the departure of Ayo Dosunmu.
Curbelo has proven that he can thrive in an expanded role, and now he has all season to show the country why he’s being regarded as one of the best playmakers in college basketball. Even without the strongest jump shot, he puts opposing defenses on their heels for forty minutes and is a triple-double threat each time he steps on the court.
Trent Frazier
The Illini return one of the more overlooked players across the NCAA in fifth-year guard Trent Frazier. Frazier, a premier defender, will be tasked with guarding the best opposing perimeter players night in and night out. He is a proven scorer who is dangerous both shooting off the catch and on the dribble. While Curbelo will be the point guard when he’s on the floor, Frazier will still see some time at the one when Curbelo sits.
Frazier has shown that he can facilitate the offense and take care of the ball when given point guard responsibilities. As someone who has seen Illinois basketball at high highs and low lows, Frazier’s veteran experience and leadership will be invaluable for the Illini.
Da’Monte Williams
Like Frazier, Da’Monte Williams has seen it all in his time at Illinois. Williams has carved his spot into the rotation largely with his defense and hustle. He’s one of those guys that you want to have in your corner. Williams can guard pretty much anybody and is afraid of nobody.
Last season, Williams also saw a huge improvement come in his three-point percentage which helped him stay on the floor. Another jump like that from him this season in terms of improving his shot in traffic and on the move, and it’ll become difficult for Underwood to ever remove him from games.
Jacob Grandison
After sitting out for the 2019-2020 season due to transfer rules, Jacob Grandison emerged as an important contributor for the Illini last season. The 6’6” forward saw most of his minutes come at the four-spot, but he is a versatile piece that Underwood likes to move around. Grandison is a weapon at the four alongside Kofi because of his ability to stretch the floor on offense while also being a reliable defender against bigger opponents.
In an offense with Cockburn, the Illini don’t want a four who clogs the lane and is detrimental to the team’s spacing, which is why Grandison is a great fit. He’s someone who does what’s asked of him, plays hard, and makes the right play. Following his entry into the starting lineup midseason last year, the Illini went 14-2, their best stretch of the season which is why it’s expected he cracks the starting lineup once again in 2021-22.
Kofi Cockburn
Coming off a dominant season in which he averaged nearly 18 and 10, Kofi Cockburn enters his junior season as a legitimate national player of the year contender. The junior imposes his will on both sides of the floor with poster dunks and volleyball spike blocks. Paired with Curbelo, Cockburn will be on the receiving end of a myriad of SportsCenter Top Ten plays this season.
Cockburn is capable of wrecking games singlehandedly, which is why opposing coaches often send doubles or even triple teams his way. If he has improved his court vision and passing out of the post, Cockburn’s NBA stock will soar, and Illinois will be that much more dangerous.