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Illinois Basketball: Good, bad and ugly scenarios for the Illini offseason

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 18: Illinois head coach Brad Underwood speaks with his team during a time out in a huddle during a college basketball game between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and Illinois Fighting Illini on November 18, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 18: Illinois head coach Brad Underwood speaks with his team during a time out in a huddle during a college basketball game between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and Illinois Fighting Illini on November 18, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 07: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on February 7, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 07: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on February 7, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Good scenario

The transitions from the Ayo Dosunmu era of Illinois basketball could be interesting. It isn’t easy to replace someone of his caliber. But the Illini are bringing in a talented recruiting class in 2020.

As of right now, Illinois has 10 scholarship players which include the incoming three class of 2020 recruits in Adam Miller, Andre Curbelo and Coleman Hawkins. These three players should be able to do some damage on the basketball court.

With three scholarships to fill, it would be realistic to think that Kofi Cockburn returns to the Illini for one more year. I always thought Ayo was gone after his sophomore campaign, but Kofi was only a freshman and could probably use another year in the college game.

That would leave two scholarships to fill. The next addition would then be Chaundee Brown. He is transferring out of Wake Forest where he was sensational. He is looking for a new home and has the Illini in his top four along with Gonzaga, LSU and Iowa State. Brown does have to sit out the upcoming season due to transfer rules, though.

It is hard to say who will still be available in the transfer market, but I have the next best option being Jordan Nesbitt. He is a member of the class of 2021 right now, but the option to reclassify I believe is still on the table. He would be a solid addition to the team at the No. 3 or 4 for the Orange and Blue.

I believe this would be the best scenario out there for Illinois. If this happens, I think we have a chance to do some special things in the near future.

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