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Illinois Basketball: 5 options for the Illini in the transfer portal 1.0

By Rees Woodcock

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini draws a play in the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini draws a play in the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – JANUARY 29: Khristian Lander #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers handles the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on January 29, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – JANUARY 29: Khristian Lander #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers handles the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on January 29, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

3. Kristian Lander (3 years of eligibility)

  • Reasoning

Sometimes high-profile recruits don’t work at a school. The fit isn’t right or the coaching staff doesn’t gel with the player. I think that is what happened with Khristian Lander. He is trying to find a change of scenery, and maybe Illinois is the right spot.

There aren’t reports of the Illini targeting Lander right now, but it would be a good idea for many reasons.

I think Illinois is doing a great job recruiting the state of Indiana right now. So, having a great recruit from the Indianapolis area, like Landers, come to Champaign might be good for recruiting.

Illinois is in desperate need of a backup No. 1 guard or at least someone to give Andre Curbelo a little competition for minutes. The best option right now would be incoming freshman, Jayden Epps, but I think he might be best suited for the No. 2 guard spot.

Landers’ numbers weren’t good at Indiana. He spent two years there, and his best season was this past campaign where he averaged 2.9 points and 0.9 assists per game. He also hit 45.2% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and 75% from the free throw line.

  • Where he would play

Competition at the No. 1 guard spot is the name of the game right now. Illinois doesn’t currently have that on the team. Landers would come in and give Curbelo a run for his money.

I think Landers would end up starting the year as a backup, but with Curbelo’s history of missing time, we need someone who can step into that ball-handler leadership role. Landers would be a great option in the transfer portal.

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