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Illinois Basketball: Brad Underwood has completed two huge goals

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Illinois basketball team lost two huge pieces to the puzzle a few months ago.

Jeremiah Tilmon and Javon Pickett departing Champaign hurt at the time. This happened right after former head coach, John Groce, was fired by the Illini. Understandably so, both players requested their release from their letter of intent.

Illinois then was left with just two players in the class of 2017, Trent Frazier and Da’Monte Williams. Both of these players bring tremendous talent to the team. Frazier is a top 100 point guard who is going to pair up nicely with incumbent starting point guard, Te’Jon Lucas.

Williams is also going to be important to this basketball team as well. While he is coming off a torn ACL, expect him to be a key contributor possibly this season and the following three seasons. He will make an impact on the record books for the Illini.

But, those were the only two players Illinois fans had to hang their hats on. Hopefully, new head coach, Brad Underwood, was going to land a big fish or two in the coming months. The first target was recently named Illinois Mr. Basketball, Mark Smith.

Smith didn’t just win the award; he won it over players like Tilmon and Pickett. He also won it over other players who spurned the Illini, like Jordan Goodwin.  This was a great accomplishment for Smith and one of the main reasons why he was such a high priority for Underwood and his staff.

On April 26, Illinois fans finally had a chance to rejoice when Smith stood up, turned around, took off his jacket, put on a hat and turned back around to reveal he had committed to the Illini. This was a checkmark on the first goal for Underwood.

The second goal was to get some type of big man for next season. Since Tilmon departed, this left a big hole for the Illini in the paint. While Illinois should be okay with what they have for a year until the class of 2018 brings in a big man, it was important for depth to be built under the basket.

There were a few graduate transfers that many fans had their eye on but those players went elsewhere. That is when the name Greg Eboigbodin emerged as a possibility.

Eboigbodin originally committed the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames back in October 2016 but that commitment ended on May 17 when he announced he will open his recruitment back up. That is when Illinois pounced on the opportunity to potentially pick up a solid big man.

The Illini offered Eboigbodin a scholarship on May 31, and on June 6 he announced he was committed to Illinois. This was a great get for Underwood and a checkmark on his second goal. He got a nice big man to help build depth in the paint.

Next: 5 recruits who have the Illini on top list

Underwood hasn’t been on the job for a full three months yet. He had two short term goals when he entered the program and has completed both of those with flying colors. Illinois has the pieces to be an NCAA tournament team this season and that will continue in the future as well.

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