Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Illini have a replacement for Greg Eboigbodin

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Illinois basketball team received news on Thursday night that Greg Eboigbodin would be transferring from the program.

This news comes as a bit of a surprise to the fan base, but it is a similar feeling to the other handful of players who have transferred this offseason. Now that Eboigbodin is departing, Illinois is only left with four returning scholarship players from last season’s team. This is something I have rarely ever seen in my time.

I see fans panicking a bit over the Eboigbodin transfer. I had him projected to be the starting No. 5 for this team entering the 2018-19 season, so this does affect the team some. The reason I had him start was purely based on more experience and seasoning. But, I am not sure this will affect the team as much as people think.

Eboigbodin was a 6-foot-9 athletic, yet raw, big man for the Illini. He could have developed into a really nice player for the program if he would have been there all four years. But, his skill level to-date isn’t something that will jump off the page. Like I previously mentioned, he is extremely raw. He didn’t have much of a shot, and his rebounding wasn’t great. He also fouled a lot as well, so his availability was an issue.

Honestly, I believe Samba Kane can give Illinois what Eboigbodin was going to give the program this season. He is an athletic player who can run the court. That matches up with Eboigbodin. He has more size – 7-foot compared to 6-foot-9 – so advantage Kane. He can shoot the ball as well as Eboigbodin. I believe he can rebound just as good or even better as Eboigbodin, and he might not be in foul trouble as often.

Next: Projected Illini starting lineup without Greg Eboigbodin

The loss of Eboigbodin isn’t good for the team by any means. The big issue I have with him departing is the lack of depth at the No. 5. But, as far as skill level at the starting No. 5 role, I don’t think Illinois is losing anything. Kane can step in and be just as good or potentially better than Eboigbodin year one.

Home/Illinois Basketball