The Illinois basketball team will find out if their hard work recruiting George Conditt will payoff or if they are left on the doorstep today.
Conditt announced his commitment time last night. He said it will be today at 4:00 PM central time, and he will be picking from either New Mexico, Iowa State or Illinois. The decision has been one many Illini fans have been eyeing for quite some time. But, what will happen if he does or doesn’t pick Illinois?
If Conditt picks Illini
This, of course, would be the best scenario for the Illini and their fans. Conditt has good talent that Illinois could use for the future. If he commits to the class of 2018 then the Illini could use his minutes in the paint to help spell time for players like Greg Eboigbodin, Michael Finke and Matic Vesel.
Illinois is by no means set at the No. 5 spot for the future. They don’t have a sure-fire big man and that worries me slightly. With a commitment from Conditt, this would give Underwood the flexibility to change up the lineup and find out who the best No. 5 is on the team. Illinois would then continue to build with a great class of 2019 that included some other big-time big men.
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If Conditt doesn’t pick the Illini
This is the worst case scenario for Illinois basketball fans. If Conditt decides to go elsewhere, the Illini are left looking for answers to help their depth at the No. 5 spot. Will this kill the team, though? Not really but I would love to have a player like Conditt on the team.
Conditt is a nice skilled player but there is no guarantee he will start or even play year one. I really like how Michael Finke is developing and he might be the starting No. 5 for the next few seasons. Behind him, there is Vesel and Eboigbodin and one of those guys could have some talent.
Illinois fans, if Conditt does come to Champaign the team would have more depth. He is a good player who could help the program in the future. If he doesn’t, though, things should still be alright. The future will still be bright.