I thought it would be interesting to do a series of threads about the prospects of our BT competition next year.
This won't be intended to be a thorough vetting....just an initial look at who projects to be in the rotation at the BT non-western 14 (I''ll leave the Pac 4 teams to someone else).
Lets begin with Illinois.
They lost all but one of their top 8 scorers, assuming Goode remains in the portal as expected. They have a good but not great HS recruiting class. Also, a good but not great portal class, imo.
Based on what I've seen their rotation would likely include**:
--6'3 PG Kylan Boswell, TR from AZ
--6'10" Casey Booth, TR from ND
--6'6" Ty Rogers, a returning starter
--6'8: Morez Johnson, a highly regarded (35 or so) HS recruit
--6'7" Trey White, TR from UL
--6'3" Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn
--6'6" Jake Davis, TR from Mercer. This is an interesting kid. He's not particularly highly rated by 247 or ON3, but I'm not sure why not. Last year, as a true freshman, he shot 48% on 2s, 39% on 3s, and 85% on FTs. He's a high volume 3 pt shooter, taking twice as many 3s as 2s. And a decent-good rebounder for 6'6". He's listed at 6'6" 220 lbs, and was lightly recruited out of Indianapolis Cathedral HS.
There is a huge ?? about Illinois basketball next year. Marcus Domask has hired an atty and applied for an extra year of eligibility He's played 5 years, but only played in 10 games one of his years at SIU, and is seeking another year.
Other players who could fight for some pt are little guard Nicolo Moretti (European) and 6'10" freshman recruit Jason Sakstys.
Predictions...........I'm not aware of any additional high value portal guys Illinois may be recruiting....as things stand, without Domask, they look like a team that might finish between 6th and 9th in the expanded BT. Outside shooting could be an issue if Davis struggles, and there is no proven center. But there is some talent. Add Domask and they probably are more like a 4th-7th team, imo.
Thoughts?
**EDIT--6'9" Ben Humrichous, from Evansville added to rotation. Domask will not challenge eligibilty.
**EDIT #2--Illinois has added 2024 recuit 7'1" 230lb Croation Tomislav Ivisic, twin brother of Zvonimar Ivisic, now at Ark., late of UK.