Illinois Basketball: Big commitment could help Illini in Courtney Ramey race

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: A general view of the shoes worn by Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan State Spartans on January 22, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: A general view of the shoes worn by Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan State Spartans on January 22, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Illinois basketball team’s competition for star guard Courtney Ramey is impressive.

There have been so many teams after Ramey since he backed away from his commitment to Louisville amid the FBI probe and dismissal of head coach Rick Pitino. The recruitment of Ramey continues to heat up every day, and now Illinois is in the middle of a tough battle to add to the backcourt.

In a write-up today by Corey Evans of Rivals, he explains the situation with Ramey as far as recruiting is concerned. One of the leaders for his services – Villanova – is now out of the running says Ramey’s father Terrell in an interview with Evans. This is a huge development for any team going after this kid.

Ramey has been on visits to Oklahoma State – December 9 – and Texas – December 28 – already, and he has plans to take his third official visit to UCLA in February. But, big news came down today as top 100 guard Tyger Campbell decided to end his recruitment and commit to UCLA.

This is big because Campbell is likely to start for the Bruins and there could be a major competition there if Ramey decides to head west. This might help the other programs who are looking to make ground on the Ramey recruitment.

Illinois also continues to make Ramey a priority as well. Illinois visited him two times in the last two weeks. That means they want this kid. I would assume he would use one of his final official visits to take a trip to Champaign.

Today’s commitment of Campbell to UCLA has to help the Illini recruit Ramey. That hurts the Bruins chances of landing this talented midwest guard. From the sound of things, I think Oklahoma State, Texas and Illinois are probably his top three right now. I wouldn’t bet on that, but it seems like the vibes are in that direction.

Next: Projected Illini starting rotation with Courtney Ramey

Illinois could land Ramey. They have some good pitches including immediate playing time on a team that would have the best backcourt in the Big Ten. That is awfully enticing.