Illinois Basketball: Illini in the running for DIII sharpshooter
The Illinois basketball team might be in line for a solid transfer if the chips fall right.
It is being reported by many different outlets, but the first one that pops up is White and Blue Review. They are reporting that DIII transfer Austin Hutcherson is interested in the Illini. This would be an interesting pickup for the Orange and Blue.
The article goes on to say that Notre Dame received the first official visits from Hutcherson. He then took an official visit this weekend to Creighton. He will then proceed to take two more official visits, one to Marquette and one to Illinois before he picks his program.
Over the last two seasons, Hutcherson has suited up for Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. In his freshman campaign with the Cardinals, Hutcherson averaged 12 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while hitting 41.8-percent of his shots from the field and 44.3-percent of his shots from three-point range.
Hutcherson then improved on most of those numbers last season. He ended the year averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He shot 44.4-percent from the field and 39.2-percent from deep. This kid can put up numbers at the DIII level. I am curious to see what he can do against DI opponents.
I also noticed Hutcherson went to high school in New York. The Illini have been recruiting the New York area extremely well since Brad Underwood took over. This might be a connection to watch out for during this recruitment.
People are going to be skeptical about a DIII player coming into the DI ranks. But there are two things that will translate to the next level no matter what. He will always have good size and his shooting ability.
Hutcherson would be a perfect wing player for the Illini. I know he played No. 1 guard for Wesleyan but that probably wouldn’t be his position with the Orange and Blue. I would have him slotted at the No. 3 spot or he could potentially swing over to the No. 2 spot depending on who else we land for the class of 2020.
Next. Illini quarterback depth chart in 2020 with CJ Dixon. dark
The fact Hutcherson can knock down shots from anywhere on the court at a fairly efficient clip is exciting. I want to see this kid succeed at the DI level. I just hope it is with the Illini.