Illinois Basketball: Decision looming for Illini transfer portal target

Illinois basketball is moving closer to landing a big player in the transfer portal.

Through about two and a half weeks of the offseason, the Illini have lost two players to the portal and have not landed anyone to replace those bodies. It hurts to lose players like Andre Curbelo and Omar Payne, but Brad Underwood and his coaching staff are laying the groundwork for what could be a very good spring.

Despite those two departures, the Illini are in the mix for a five-star freshman in Skyy Clark. He would be a great replacement for Curbelo and someone who could make an impact on the team from day one. Illinois is also eyeing a talented guard from the transfer portal by the name of Brandon Murray.

Murray is a 6-foot-5, 214-pound sophomore who decided to pack up and transfer out of LSU after their head coach was embroiled in scandal and eventually fired. Murray is now looking for a new home with three years of eligibility left, and Champaign might be the eventual landing spot.

On Wednesday night, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports and College Hoops Today tweeted out that Murray plans on taking three visits. He is visiting Tennessee, Georgetown, and Illinois. He also drops that a decision from Murray is expected on Monday.

Guard depth would be insane if Brandon Murray chooses the Illinois basketball team.

This isn’t just a middle-of-the-road guard Illinois is trying to woo. Murray was a four-star recruit and the No. 82 player in the class of 2021. He was wanted by a number of programs coming out of IMG Academy, but the Tigers would ultimately end up landing the star guard.

Murray spent one season with LSU and had a good year. He finished the season averaging 31 minutes per game and dropping 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals each night.

I would say the thing that impresses me the most is the fact Murray did play 31 minutes in each game and only averaged 1.6 turnovers per contest. Taking care of the ball wasn’t terribly important to the Illini last season, so Murray brings that to the table.

Three-point shooting is what probably needs to improve the most with Murray. He is clearly a confident shooter – taking 119 three-pointers this past season – but he only made 33.6% from long range. If that number improves to 37%-39% this upcoming season, then Murray will be looked at as one of the best players in the college game.

It would be interesting to see what Underwood does with the roster if Murray picks the Illini as well. I would venture to say Murray is starting from day one. But where does that leave some of the other young guys?

I am just throwing this out there, but the lineup would probably look something like this; No. 1 Jayden Epps, No. 2 Murray, No. 3 Luke Goode, No. 4 RJ Melendez, and No. 5 Coleman Hawkins. I think Underwood would probably go with a more athletic lineup just to fit all of the guard talent into the roster.

This would leave Brandin Podziemski as the sixth man for the Illini. He would be the first guard off the bench, and I believe Dain Dainja would be the main backup at the No. 5 spot in case Illinois goes up against a more traditional big man.

Murray would give Illinois options with the roster. He is a talented player who would make an impact from day one. Let’s hope Monday brings the Illini fanbase good news.