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Illinois Basketball: Brad Underwood continues to offer class of 2018

By Rees Woodcock

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 11, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oregon won 95-89 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 11, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oregon won 95-89 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Brad Underwood hasn’t given me a reason to lose trust in his process of rebuilding the Illinois basketball team.

The most recent scholarship offer for the class of 2018 was given to Zion Griffin yesterday. He is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound power forward from Hinsdale South High School in Darien, Illinois. He isn’t rated by the recruiting sites but he does have 16 scholarship offers. The majority of those offers are from mid-major programs, though.

Griffin plays a role on the floor Illinois will need next season and the years to follow. They have solid guard depth and will continue having guard depth for the foreseeable future, but having that 6-foot-5 to 6-foot-7 type of player will be needed for the Illini to have success.

The game that Griffin plays reminds me a lot of former Illinois basketball player, Joe Bertrand. They both were lanky middle 6-foot guys who could run the floor, sometimes shoot and get to the basket when they want to. They both have a nice little floater in the lane as well.

Underwood would accomplish creating depth on the team with the addition of Griffin. He could redshirt year one and continue to improve and learn in his system. That would help Griffin build knowledge of the game and he could get bigger as well.

I just have one issue with this scholarship offer, though. There are only three scholarship openings for the class of 2018. Underwood continuing to offer players who are just starting to come onto the scene seems potentially risky. There are some bigger fish that Underwood needs to land. But, maybe he doesn’t want to get left on the doorstep and needs to secure some solid players. Or we could go worst case scenario and he knows Illinois isn’t going to land some of the top recruits they are going after.

Next: 4 class of 2018 recruits who would start year one

Either way, I have a little worry in me because there are only three spots left for 2018 and Underwood has cast a wide net. What if some of these players decide to commit before guys like Ayo Dosunmu make a decision? No matter what, though, I trust what Underwood is doing and as long as it translates into wins, I am happy.

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