Illinois Basketball: Illini targeting superstar freshman in the transfer portal

There are certain players in the transfer portal whom I want the Illinois basketball team to dump a ton of resources into so we can land that player.

The Illini need to start building the roster in the coming week. We have lost two players to the transfer portal and one to, potentially, the NBA. That leaves a lot of open roster spots for the 2023-24 campaign.

Since Kofi Cockburn left the Illini, we haven’t had a ton of stability in the paint. Dain Dainja did an okay job this past season, but there is always room for someone to come into the program and take over the No. 5 spot on the floor.

A great option for the No. 5 spot next season would be Micah Handlogten. He is a 7-foot-1, 227-pound, center who played one season at Marshall and is now in the transfer portal.

Landing Micah Handlogten from the transfer portal should be a top priority for the Illinois basketball program

Despite a couple of early exits in the NCAA tournament, there is concrete evidence that a really good big man can get you into the postseason as a relatively high seed. Illinois was able to do that with Kofi. Purdue did that with Zach Edey. It is a decent formula to get to the NCAA tournament.

Handlogten could be the next great big man for the Illini. On Thursday, Jamie Shaw of On3.com tweeted that Handlogten had already heard from numerous teams. One of the programs that are pursuing the big man is Illinois.

Handlogten has only spent one season in the college ranks, but that one year was impressive. He averaged 7.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 assists per game. This kid was a dominating force for Marshall, and now he wants to take his talents to the next level.

I am extremely intrigued by Handlogten. His great numbers in year one won him the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year award. I honestly believe he could come into the Illinois program and dominate. Besides shooting three-pointers, this kid can do everything on the court.

From day one, I think Handlogten would start at the No. 5 spot. He is a big man, so his stamina isn’t great. This would leave plenty of minutes for Dain Dainja to be effective as well.

Brad Underwood did wonders with Kofi when he was in Champaign. I think he would love to have another big man who could dominate in the paint. I want the Illini to put a lot of resources into landing Handlogten this offseason.