Illinois Basketball: Top 5 recruiting targets for Brad Underwood

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Dec 14, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the game against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois basketball team is bringing in a stellar class of 2017 that will help form this program back into a contender in the Big Ten once again.

Illinois being relevant is fun to see. They really haven’t been since the previous regime took over the program and really since the final year of the Dee Brown and James Augustine era.

But, that could all be changing with the marriage of the talent already on the team and the class of 2017 coming in. There will be some serious talent on the roster and now having a coach who can get that talent out of players is encouraging.

I am excited by the hire of Brad Underwood. What he did with Stephen F. Austin and then during his one year with Oklahoma State was amazing. If he can bring that coaching to Champaign then I have no doubts we can at least reach the Sweet 16 in a few years.

Illinois needs to continue building, though. They can’t just sit back and watch the class of 2017 work. Underwood needs to continue recruiting and build on this recruiting class. That is how teams become great.

Here are the top five recruiting focuses for Brad Underwood.

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