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Illinois Basketball: Final 2 Scholarship Scenarios for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce directs his team against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. Ohio State won the game 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce directs his team against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. Ohio State won the game 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of a Nike Xavier Musketeers basketball on the court at Cintas Center. Xavier won 70-53. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of a Nike Xavier Musketeers basketball on the court at Cintas Center. Xavier won 70-53. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Scenario No. 2: Mayan Kiir + Open Scholarship

In the first scenario, the Illini didn’t snag another player besides for the four they already have committed to the program.

Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini /

Illinois Fighting Illini

The second scenario is different.  Illinois is recruiting big man Mayan Kiir pretty hard and he is arguably the main target right now.

Getting Kiir is extremely important, not because he is a game changer, but because he is a key need for the Illini.

Behind Tilmon for 2017 there isn’t much besides Finke, who should be moved over to the forward role anyways.

That means Illinois needs to find a good backup for Tilmon or even another player to play beside him at times.

Kiir would be a perfect fit for the Illini.  He is a tall, physical, player who can get rebounds but also run the floor well too.

I hope Illinois can snag Kiir purely based off need.  He would give the Illini another angle at taking on defenders and that is invaluable.

Here is what the lineup would likely look like with Kiir.

Point Guard: Te’Jon Lucas, Backup: Trent Frazier

Shooting Guard: Jalen Coleman-Lands, Backup: Aaron Jordan, 3rd Rotation: Javon Pickett

Guard/Forward: Kipper Nichols, Backup: Da’Monte Williams

Forward: Leron Black, Backup: DJ Williams 3rd Rotation: Michael Finke

Center: Jeremiah Tilmon, Backup: Mayan Kiir

This lineup gets even stronger when adding Kiir.  He would be important for the health of the team in the future.

Next: Scenario #3

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