So, how are we feeling this morning Illinois basketball fans?
While most of us expected the outcome of the Francis Okoro commitment last night, it still hurt deep down for many reasons. One of the reasons it hurts is that Okoro is playing high school basketball less than an hour away from Champaign. The location was so close and yet, the recruitment was so far away.
Another reason the loss of Okoro to Oregon hurt so bad was that Illinois needed a player like him. With the departure of Leron Black, Illinois has little to no experience at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots on the floor. Okoro would have stabilized that position from day one.
I could actually continue on with the ways Okoro heading to Oregon would hurt the Illini, but I want to focus on where we go from here. Illinois essentially lost the last potential recruit for the class of 2018 on Monday night. But, are things really all doom and gloom like some Illini fans are saying?
I honestly don’t think they are. I know people are going to call me a homer or they are going to say that I have blind faith, but I don’t think that is the case. Let’s take a step back from the ledge and look at what we have on the roster right now and coming in from the class of 2018.
Trent Frazier is returning for his sophomore season. As a true freshman, he put up 12.5 points, 3.1 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. He was also in serious discussion for Big Ten Freshman of the Year as well but barely lost out to Jaren Jackson who is about to be an NBA lottery pick. Frazier is coming back and will likely be a candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year.
Kipper Nichols is back as well. I don’t think many people realize this but he averaged 10 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in only 19 minutes of action in each contest. Those are incredible numbers. If he sees 25 minutes per game next season, that average goes up to 13 points per game. Don’t underestimate his return to the Illini.
Those are just two of the top returning players for next season. I haven’t even mentioned Ayo Dosunmu who is a top 30 player in the class of 2018 and someone who will be one of the favorites to win Big Ten Freshman of the Year this upcoming season. He will likely average over 10 points per game while bringing energy to the State Farm Center.
Next: Roles of the five returning Illini players
These are three players who will average over 10 points per game. While it does hurt losing a player of Okoro’s caliber and Illinois will struggle in the paint some this upcoming season, I believe they will be okay. Honestly, I still think this could be one of the best seasons we have seen in the last half-decade. I believe we are still an NCAA tournament team.