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Illinois Basketball: No graduate transfer center, no problem for Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 18, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) completes a slam dunk as Iowa Hawkeyes forward Nicholas Baer (51) looks on during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) completes a slam dunk as Iowa Hawkeyes forward Nicholas Baer (51) looks on during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Illinois basketball team is running out of options at center after Akoy Agau committed to Southern Methodist University.

Agau was a big target for the Illini and someone they could have used for next season. He was not only a big man but also a graduate transfer so Illinois head coach Brad Underwood could continue working on centers for 2018 and beyond.

Illinois is left on the outside looking in at the Agau recruitment, though. He is now with SMU but what are the other options at center for the Illini?

Well, the only other option that was on the table for a nice big man was Dwight Coleby but he apparently hasn’t been considering the Illini. He is eyeing Western Kentucky right now with interest from Eastern Tennessee, Louisiana-Monroe and Arkansas-Little Rock.

What this means is my prediction of the starting center of Leron Black could be coming true for next season. While this was the worst case scenario, it still isn’t a bad situation. If he can stay out of foul trouble, Black should be able to man the center role without too much trouble.

Of course, the Illini will have issues at times with certain players in the Big Ten and around the nation. Isaac Haas might do some damage against the Illini purely based on his height around the rim.

Overall, though, there is a reason to be excited if you are an Illini fan. Illinois had a great class of 2017 with the signing of Trent Frazier and Da’Monte Williams who will both be impact players during their time in Champaign. They had graduate transfer Mark Alstork sign on and he is a more athletic version of Rayvonte Rice. Oh yeah, the Illini also had Illinois Mr. Basketball, Mark Smith, sign on for next season. That is always a reason to be excited about the future.

In addition to being excited about those four coming into the program, Illinois also has some nice talent already on the team.

Get excited about year two of Kipper Nichols. Expect him to start at the No. 4 spot and cause mismatches with his ability to stretch the floor. Aaron Jordan’s resurgence as a talented player is going to be fun to watch as well.

Year two of Te’Jon Lucas is going to be better than year one, and that is a reason to be hopeful. He had a good freshman campaign and wowed people on a nightly basis. Michael Finke is also going to be fun to watch again. Underwood is going to be able to use him in multiple ways and that is a reason to get excited.

In addition to these reasons and more to be excited, Black is one of the biggest reasons to be hopeful for the future. He is going to blossom this season because he will be looked at as a leader. The paint is his and he will be able to shine with his physical gifts.

Next: Brad Underwood’s team has same construct as 2005

Don’t be surprised if Black ends up averaging a double-double this season with points and rebounds. He has the ability to be great and so does the Illini. This upcoming season is going to be fun to watch, and there are reasons to be hopeful as an Illinois fan.

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