How I fix next year...
Current Roster
With Ayo and 2 other slots, I anticipate an additional 3 kids leaving the program. I won't list names or speculate, but I expect to add potentially 6 players.
1. Ayo Donsunmu (High School)
Synopsis: I have him listed as #1 because obviously he's already on board. Please stay healthy. Please continue to develop.
2. Jordan Caroline (Nevada)
Stats
Synopsis: He is my number 1, hope above hope, that he is an Illini next year. It's the perfect opportunity, son of Illini legends (Simeon Rice), coming to Champaign for 1 season to help restore the Illini program. Additionally, it could be a nice showcase for him to play in a P5 conference and potentially pursue a career as a role player in the NBA, or at minimum a great setup overseas.
I anticipate Eric Musselman being a hot name in coaching searches. Incredibly, Nevada's program is built entirely on transfers at the moment. The Martin's who were at NC State last year would be eligible to transfer anywhere as 5th years as a package deal, and Kendall Stephens, formerly of Purdue, is a Senior. Musselman would be wise to strike while the iron is hot instead of go through a rebuild. With his coach potentially leaving and possibly not much else around him at Nevada, this makes too much sense not to happen.
Advanced metrics: Solid, terrific rebounder.
3. Josh Cunningham (Dayton)
Stats
Synopsis: I'm not as sold on Cunningham coming to the Illini because of the Chin connection. I hope that is strong. Transferred to Dayton when Archie Miller was there, and now Miller is gone and Dayton is sub-.500. I'm sure Archie will be making a strong effort to get him to come to IU, and he will certainly get overtures from other programs. I hope the allure of his home state and old connections can help bring him to Champaign. Dayton returns very little to make me believe that they're a mid-major with potential next year. Same sales pitch as Caroline, with less of a family connection. At minimum want one of those two 5th years.
Advanced metrics: Stellar, very efficient player.
4. The "5" slot
?
Synopsis: Admittedly, I can't scan the country for every potential 5th year big man who is a true 5. I don't believe there is a magic 5 out there. I just think the best you're going to do is find a defensive specialist for 14 mpg with limited upside offensively (4-5 ppg?). Perhaps you find a Karem Kanter or Marin Maric, that would be the best case scenario but i'm not counting on it.
The option that could also be considered, and many around here will scoff, is an ask of Michael Finke. Let's drop trying to have him play outside of 7 feet (sans the occasional pick and pop from 3), and ask him to be a back to the basket big man. Defensively, focus on clogging up the lane, holding ground and getting his arms straight up. Add 20-25 pounds of muscle and bulk, combined with working on lateral quickness. Get him off the perimeter where he doesn't have the quickness. Try to steal 25 mpg between him and Ebo. This really only works if you add Cunningham and Caroline to go with Black, because rebounding won't be a problem at that point.
5. Courtney Ramey slot (High School)
Synopsis: You throw the entire book at Ramey for the next 4 weeks and try to get him to pop. A couple selling points:
1. Close to home, it seems as if his father would like that.
2. Trent Frazier. While others have struggled, Frazier shows that a freshman who can score will play major minutes.
3. Existing relationship. Walker has maintained contact for quite some time. I believe they have a pretty positive view of Illinois, and since he was committed to Louisville at the time Underwood was hired, he can't be faulted for not making an effort over the summer.
If you can't get Ramey on board by April 1...you move on:
Replacement 1 - Jordan Branger - All I truly need to know about him is that he can shoot the three ball and appears to have competent enough athleticism. That's a role we need. Is a great option assuming he knows he won't be the man (Not going to be a 25% usage guy). We desperately need 3 point shooters, and we've all seen how much better we look when the 3 ball goes down.
Replacement 2 - Demarius Jacobs - I see him purely as a development level player for 2018-2019, minor contributor in 2019-2020, and hope he develops for . My issue with taking him is that we are already hoping De'Monte develops.
6. Tevian Jones slot (High school)
Synopsis: Same thing with Ramey. Through the book at him from now until April 1. Try to get him to pop. I don't anticipate him being an instant impact guy, maybe 12 mpg, 4 ppg as a freshman. This is about building for long term.
If Jones doesn't pop, and you miss on the 5th year guys, then you consider:
Option 1 - Marlon Taylor
Option 2 - Austin Trice
Otherwise, you take this spot, and play opportunist. Maybe a high school kid who decommits from a coaching change.
So that's the best case scenario I'm hoping for. Underwood and Co will have plenty of time to work on the above game plan in about 12 days.
Current Roster
With Ayo and 2 other slots, I anticipate an additional 3 kids leaving the program. I won't list names or speculate, but I expect to add potentially 6 players.
1. Ayo Donsunmu (High School)
Synopsis: I have him listed as #1 because obviously he's already on board. Please stay healthy. Please continue to develop.
2. Jordan Caroline (Nevada)
Stats
Synopsis: He is my number 1, hope above hope, that he is an Illini next year. It's the perfect opportunity, son of Illini legends (Simeon Rice), coming to Champaign for 1 season to help restore the Illini program. Additionally, it could be a nice showcase for him to play in a P5 conference and potentially pursue a career as a role player in the NBA, or at minimum a great setup overseas.
I anticipate Eric Musselman being a hot name in coaching searches. Incredibly, Nevada's program is built entirely on transfers at the moment. The Martin's who were at NC State last year would be eligible to transfer anywhere as 5th years as a package deal, and Kendall Stephens, formerly of Purdue, is a Senior. Musselman would be wise to strike while the iron is hot instead of go through a rebuild. With his coach potentially leaving and possibly not much else around him at Nevada, this makes too much sense not to happen.
Advanced metrics: Solid, terrific rebounder.
3. Josh Cunningham (Dayton)
Stats
Synopsis: I'm not as sold on Cunningham coming to the Illini because of the Chin connection. I hope that is strong. Transferred to Dayton when Archie Miller was there, and now Miller is gone and Dayton is sub-.500. I'm sure Archie will be making a strong effort to get him to come to IU, and he will certainly get overtures from other programs. I hope the allure of his home state and old connections can help bring him to Champaign. Dayton returns very little to make me believe that they're a mid-major with potential next year. Same sales pitch as Caroline, with less of a family connection. At minimum want one of those two 5th years.
Advanced metrics: Stellar, very efficient player.
4. The "5" slot
?
Synopsis: Admittedly, I can't scan the country for every potential 5th year big man who is a true 5. I don't believe there is a magic 5 out there. I just think the best you're going to do is find a defensive specialist for 14 mpg with limited upside offensively (4-5 ppg?). Perhaps you find a Karem Kanter or Marin Maric, that would be the best case scenario but i'm not counting on it.
The option that could also be considered, and many around here will scoff, is an ask of Michael Finke. Let's drop trying to have him play outside of 7 feet (sans the occasional pick and pop from 3), and ask him to be a back to the basket big man. Defensively, focus on clogging up the lane, holding ground and getting his arms straight up. Add 20-25 pounds of muscle and bulk, combined with working on lateral quickness. Get him off the perimeter where he doesn't have the quickness. Try to steal 25 mpg between him and Ebo. This really only works if you add Cunningham and Caroline to go with Black, because rebounding won't be a problem at that point.
5. Courtney Ramey slot (High School)
Synopsis: You throw the entire book at Ramey for the next 4 weeks and try to get him to pop. A couple selling points:
1. Close to home, it seems as if his father would like that.
2. Trent Frazier. While others have struggled, Frazier shows that a freshman who can score will play major minutes.
3. Existing relationship. Walker has maintained contact for quite some time. I believe they have a pretty positive view of Illinois, and since he was committed to Louisville at the time Underwood was hired, he can't be faulted for not making an effort over the summer.
If you can't get Ramey on board by April 1...you move on:
Replacement 1 - Jordan Branger - All I truly need to know about him is that he can shoot the three ball and appears to have competent enough athleticism. That's a role we need. Is a great option assuming he knows he won't be the man (Not going to be a 25% usage guy). We desperately need 3 point shooters, and we've all seen how much better we look when the 3 ball goes down.
Replacement 2 - Demarius Jacobs - I see him purely as a development level player for 2018-2019, minor contributor in 2019-2020, and hope he develops for . My issue with taking him is that we are already hoping De'Monte develops.
6. Tevian Jones slot (High school)
Synopsis: Same thing with Ramey. Through the book at him from now until April 1. Try to get him to pop. I don't anticipate him being an instant impact guy, maybe 12 mpg, 4 ppg as a freshman. This is about building for long term.
If Jones doesn't pop, and you miss on the 5th year guys, then you consider:
Option 1 - Marlon Taylor
Option 2 - Austin Trice
Otherwise, you take this spot, and play opportunist. Maybe a high school kid who decommits from a coaching change.
So that's the best case scenario I'm hoping for. Underwood and Co will have plenty of time to work on the above game plan in about 12 days.
Last edited:
