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Illinois Basketball: Not landing Francis Okoro would hurt Illini

By Rees Woodcock

CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 20: Two basketballs are stuck in a net prior to the game between the Wofford Terriers and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 20: Two basketballs are stuck in a net prior to the game between the Wofford Terriers and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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The news for the Illinois basketball team seems to be trending in the wrong direction.

Over the last few days, there have been reports leaking out of Illini target Francis Okoro possibly going to Oregon. Nothing is set in stone, yet, but where there is smoke there is usually fire. I am not going to say the recruitment of him is over until I hear the words from his mouth or see the tweet thanking all the coaches who recruited him.

The recruitment of Okoro came down to Illinois, Oregon and Purdue with what looks to be the Ducks winning out. There are some people on Twitter acting like this is the end of the world for the Illini, and there are others who say this isn’t a huge deal. Honestly, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

If I had to put a number between one and 10 – one being not serious and 10 being blow up the program – of how serious losing Okoro would be to the Illinois basketball program, I would probably go with a seven. Some people may disagree with me here, but I have my reasons.

The reason I only give possibly losing Okoro a seven out of 10 is that Illinois has a good class coming in for 2018 already. This class has six players signed up including two top 100 recruits and four top 300 players. Brad Underwood filled almost all the holes on the team that needed to be filled.

Illinois lost their backup point guard in Te’Jon Lucas but they replaced him with Andres Feliz who is one of the best junior college players in the nation. They have Ayo Dosunmu coming in who is one of the best players in the country. Tevian Jones is a top 100 player who will help at the wing. Alan Griffin is a good shooter, and he should help off the bench for the Illini.

The Illini also snagged two big men as well. While Giorgi Bezhanishvili is more of a long-term option, I think Samba Kane could see some valuable minutes early on in his career. He might even fight for the starting job year one.

Illinois’ class of 2018 is one of the reasons why possibly losing Okoro won’t hurt as much as it could. But, a seven out of 10 is pretty high still. I have the worry level that high because Illinois lost Leron Black and needed to replace his presence in the paint.

Okoro would have come into the Illinois program this season – if he reclassified – and been the starter immediately. Anyone who says he wouldn’t have had a big impact on the team is lying to themselves. He would have been huge.

Next: Ranking the last 10 Illini recruiting classes - Basketball

With that being said, potentially losing Okoro doesn’t mean this coaching staff can’t recruit. They have one full recruiting class under their belts and it includes a top 30 player in the country. Illinois will struggle this season in the paint, though. It is looking like the Illini will miss out on Okoro and that will hurt the team. But, by no means is this the end of the world. The class of 2018 isn’t even complete yet.

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