Illinois Basketball: 2018-19 Illini season wrap-up for Aaron Jordan

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Aaron Jordan (23) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 10, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Aaron Jordan (23) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 10, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

There weren’t too many players who were going to be leaving the Illinois basketball program after the season ended.

One of the players who put four years into the program and gave everything he could was Aaron Jordan. Here is the season wrap-up for Jordan.

Expectations

The expectations I had for Jordan weren’t extremely high coming into the 2018-2019 campaign. This kid had carved a niche out on this team and has fit in with what the current coaching regime wanted to do.

If I had to be honest, I would say I was expecting somewhere between 8-10 points and 4-6 rebounds per game. This is what Jordan showed he could do during his junior season. So, I expected a little bump from year three to year four.

The fact Jordan turned out as good as he did is a surprise. The previous coaching regime didn’t play him much his sophomore season. This was a surprise because he was one of the best three-point shooters on the team. I expected solid things out of him during his senior campaign because of the type of offense Brad Underwood runs and the type of shooter Jordan is on the floor.

Reality

The reality fit with the expectations of Jordan. I wouldn’t say he exceeded the expectations, but he definitely hit them right on the mark.

Jordan ended up increasing his scoring average from 7.9 to 8 points per game. He upped his rebounds from 3.1 to 4.6 rebounds per game. He also increased his assists from 0.7 to 1.5 assists per game. His senior year was his best and this is what I was hoping for.

Future

I am curious what the future holds for Jordan. This kid isn’t going to be suiting up for the Illini next season, and that is going to be weird. I am used to seeing him out on the court every game.

I think Jordan has the three-point shooting to make a career in basketball. It would probably be overseas, but I could see him knocking down shots for a team across the pond for years to come. This kid does have a lot of talent.

Whatever Jordan ends up doing, I wish him nothing but the best. He gave everything he could to this program and the fanbase. He could have transferred but didn’t. He is a true Illini.