Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Peach Jam

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood cheers for his team during the college basketball game between the East Tennessee State Univeristy Buccaneers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 15, 2018, at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Illinois could use a big like Ryan Kalkbrenner

Illinois’ big man situation was already going to be iffy after Kofi Cockburn departs the program in a year or two. We were going to need more help regardless. So, the development and possibility for the Illini to land someone like Ryan Kalkbrenner continues to be a high hope.

Kalkbrenner is a 7-foot, 225-pound center from Trinity Catholic High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 77 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 13 center in the nation. He is also the No. 3 player in the state of Missouri as well.

The need for someone like Kalkbrenner to come to Champaign was expedited over the past week with the departure of big man Samba Kane. Kane declared he was transferring as he entered his name into the transfer portal. This leaves a big hole in the Illini roster at the backup No. 5 spot.

Throughout the last four or five days, Kalkbrenner has shown me that he could be a great piece for the Illini to add for the future. We could use this kid at the No. 5 spot.

Kalkbrenner continued to be a solid player for the Mac Irvin Fire during the Peach Jam. In the regular season, he averaged 7.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.5 blocks and 1 assist per game. His numbers then stayed about the same during the Peach Jam as he averaged 7.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 1.2 assists per game.

The numbers are there for this kid to be really good at the next level. Watching him play was fun. There are some issues I noticed like touch, but overall he is a good player. His defensive abilities would be a nice addition to the team. Illinois needs a player like Kalkbrenner in the lane.

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