Illinois Basketball: Final 2 Scholarship Scenarios for the Illini

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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Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Nike basketballs on a rack before a game between the Boston College Eagles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Nike basketballs on a rack before a game between the Boston College Eagles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Scenario No. 4: Mayan Kiir + Kris Wilkes

The scenario that everyone wants but is going to very difficult to close is the combination of Kiir and Kris Wilkes.

Like I said earlier, Kiir would be the yin to Tilmon’s yang.  These two would be a dominant duo in the Big Ten.

The other addition in this scenario would be forward Kris Wilkes.

Wilkes is a game changing, 5-star player, who would be a great asset for the Illini.  He is a player that would start right away for this basketball team.

Right now, Wilkes is really being recruited hard.  He is down to Indiana, UCLA, UConn, Xavier, and Illinois.

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I really think he is down to Indiana, Xavier, and Illinois with the most likely landing spot to probably be the Hoosiers.

But, if Illinois does pull Wilkes in it would be huge.  This would be a complete game changer for the Illini and it would make them national title contenders instantly.

Here is the lineup with Kiir and Wilkes.

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

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

Guard/Forward: Kris Wilkes, Backup: Kipper Nichols, 3rd Rotation: Da’Monte Williams

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

Center: Jeremiah Tilmon, Backup: Mayan Kiir

The addition of Kiir and Wilkes would make for a championship contending lineup.  Kiir’s backup to Tilmon and Wilkes starting with Nichols and Williams behind him.

This combination would be quite impressive.

Next: Scenario #5