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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini roster with two scholarships remaining

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders perform 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: Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders perform 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) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 15: A detail view of the March Madness logo that is embossed into the official tournament basketballs is seen during an open public practice during the practice day before the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 15: A detail view of the March Madness logo that is embossed into the official tournament basketballs is seen during an open public practice during the practice day before the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 5 Forward/Center

Starter: Samba Kane

A little less than two weeks ago, the Illinois basketball team added a much-needed piece to the puzzle. They were able to get big man Samba Kane to commit to the program for the class of 2018.

Kane was a great pickup for the Illini. He is a 6-foot-10, 205-pound big man from Florida Preparatory Academy. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 278 player in the class of 2018. I think this was a solid get for Illinois because they needed another big man and Kane’s recruitment was starting to heat up. He had other big-time programs looking at him when he committed.

This may sound a bit premature but I think Kane could start day one at the No. 5 spot for the Illini. He is raw but he is extremely athletic for his size and would be a great defensive option. Defense in the paint was a huge issue for the Illini last season, and I think Kane solves that problem.

Backup: Greg Eboigbodin

An emerging option at the No. 5 last season was Greg Eboigbodin. He was extremely raw and a little undersized for the No. 5 but he gave it his all and wasn’t terrible. There are a lot of things he still needs to work on, though.

Eboigbodin ended up averaging 10.6 minutes, 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Once he learns how to stop fouling all the time and gets a little more touch, then I think he can become a solid bench or starting type of player.

Next: Illini recruiting options for final two offers

Backup: Matic Vesel

Illinois used Matic Vesel in the deep reserve spot for most of the season. He averaged 4.4 minutes, 0.4 points and 0.5 rebounds per game for the Illini. I think he would be in the same role enter next season as well.

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