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Illinois Basketball: Tyler Scanlon would solidify the No. 3 spot for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 08: Tyler Scanlon #2 of the Boston University Terriers takes a foul shot during a college basketball game against the American University Eagles at Bender Arena on February 8, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Terriers won 67-64. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 08: Tyler Scanlon #2 of the Boston University Terriers takes a foul shot during a college basketball game against the American University Eagles at Bender Arena on February 8, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Terriers won 67-64. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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An interesting option has popped onto the Illinois basketball radar for the upcoming season.

Illinois has been in the running for quite a few graduate transfers this offseason. Sadly, all of them have headed in different directions and we have failed to land a single one. But, with one scholarship remaining, could Tyler Scanlon be an option for the Orange and Blue?

Scanlon was an under-the-radar recruit coming out of Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Virginia. He wasn’t rated or ranked in the class of 2016, and I believe his only scholarship offer was to Boston University.

While with Boston, Scanlon shined. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game as a freshman. He continued to bump those numbers up throughout three seasons with the Terriers. He put up 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a sophomore. Last season, he finished the year averaging 13.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

Scanlon has now entered himself into the transfer portal and is trying to find a new home as a graduate transfer with two years remaining. Illinois looks to be one of the options for this talented wing player. According to Jeff Borzello of ESPN, Scanlon has heard from Belmont, George Washington, Minnesota, Richmond, Arkansas and Illinois.

Adding a player like Scanlon would solidify the No. 3 spot for the Illini. He put up good numbers last season for the Terriers. But my biggest worry is if those numbers would translate to the Big Ten. He had one game last season against a Big Ten opponent – Rutgers – and put up 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. He only shot 35.7-percent from the field and had 5 turnovers and 4 fouls.

That game against Rutgers was just a small sample size. I like Scanlon’s ability to shoot the mid-range jumper. He would give Illinois another scoring threat. I don’t think he should start at the No. 3 spot, but I would slot him behind Tevian Jones.

Next. Projected Illini lineup with Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk. dark

Illinois has one scholarship open for 2019. I would like to add a graduate transfer because the player would come in with experience and the scholarship would open up within the next two years. Scanlon would be a good fit for the program.

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