Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons Ben Stanley should pick the Illini

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 30: A moment of silence is held for Robert Archibald prior to a college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2020 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Spotlight

I am sure it was fun for Ben Stanley to play at Hampton and tear up most teams he came across. He was a dominating player for the Pirates.

Stanley even got a chance to play against Illinois last season and had a great game. He ended up dropping 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in Champaign. But the one huge night still couldn’t get Hampton over the hump, as the Pirates lost the game 120-71.

Sadly, a talent like Stanley can’t get the spotlight at Hampton. Are there some great players who play for mid-major programs who go on to do great things? Sure, but those are the exception and not the rule. Too many players get lost in the mix because the spotlight isn’t on them in primetime.

That won’t happen with Illinois. You will be able to find just about every Illini game either on the Big Ten Network or ESPN. The only times where the Orange and Blue aren’t on primetime television is when they play a team like Hampton.

Illinois can provide Stanley the spotlight he needs to get to the next level. Big Ten competition will show NBA scouts what this kid has on the court. I think the spotlight that Illinois brings to the table would help Stanley succeed in the game of basketball.

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