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Illinois Basketball: 5 NBA Draft 1st round picks the Illini faced last season

By Rees Woodcock

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty first round selections in the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty first round selections in the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) shoots during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) shoots during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5 Caleb Swanigan – Purdue Boilermakers

The Illinois basketball team only played the Purdue Boilermakers once this past season and, much like the game against Indiana, this game was a blowout. The Illini were down 14 at halftime and then lost by 9 in the second half to show a final score of 91-68 in favor of Purdue.

This was probably one of the best Purdue teams I have seen in my time being alive. They were really good all-around and they were led by Caleb Swanigan. He was a dominant player for the Boilermakers and someone who should have gone higher in the draft.

Swanigan ended up getting picked last night. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 26 pick in the NBA Draft. This was a great selection by the Trail Blazers because they could always use more scoring around the rim. He will now pair up with former Illinois basketball big man, Meyers Leonard.

In the one game against the Illini this past season, Swanigan dominated. He ended up dropping 22 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists in the thumping. He also shot 7-of-15 from the field, 1-of-2 from the three-point line and 7-of-7 from the free throw line.

Next: Minutes breakdown for Illini guards

Swanigan has the game to succeed in the NBA. He dominated the Illini this past season and expect him to do the same during his career in the NBA.

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