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Illinois Basketball: 5 players the Illini could struggle against in 2017-18

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the basketballs on the ball racks before the start of the McDonalds All-American Powerade Jamfest at the Chicago Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the basketballs on the ball racks before the start of the McDonalds All-American Powerade Jamfest at the Chicago Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Mike Watkins (24) dunks the ball as Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Isaiah Roby (15) defends in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. The Nittany Lions won 76-67 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Mike Watkins (24) dunks the ball as Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Isaiah Roby (15) defends in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. The Nittany Lions won 76-67 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Mike Watkins – Penn State Nittany Lions

One of the most underrated freshmen last season in the Big Ten was Mike Watkins. He was a huge help to Penn State and will be an asset to the team moving forward.

The Illini played two games against the Nittany Lions last season and dropped them both. They needed victories in these contests but couldn’t pull out one win, let alone two. Watkins played well in the two games against Illinois. He averaged 8.5 points and 9 rebounds per contest.

Illinois couldn’t stop Watkins very well and much of the Big Ten was that way. He finished the year averaging 9.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, which are pretty good stats for a freshman. This also included a game against Pittsburgh where he put up 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Moving forward, Watkins will be dominant in the Big Ten. He has the ability to be one of the best, and he also has great size as well. He stands at 6-foot-9 and weighs 246-pounds. Illinois doesn’t have a player who can stop that big of a train coming through the lane.

Hopefully, the Illini can land someone who is bigger than Black in the transfer market. If they can’t, the games against Penn State could be rough.

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