While things seem to be pretty rough right now for the Illinois basketball program, not all is lost by any means.
I am not happy with the Illini transfer portal additions from this past offseason. These guys were supposed to be the leaders of this program, but it honestly feels like they are taking a backseat as the younger guys are trying to figure things out.
While I am not happy with the transfer portal players, and I said so in a recent article, I think there is reason to have some hope heading into the final few games of the 2024-25 regular season.
I am not going to sit here and blame one specific thing or another on why Illinois has been losing games. There are reasons and then there are just excuses. Right now, it kind of feels like a combination of both. But without a doubt, getting healthier is going to start making a difference.
Now, I don’t know what the Illini will look like against No. 3 Duke on Saturday, but I do know one thing for sure, this program is going to be less ill than we were on Tuesday and in games prior.
Tomislav Ivisic will likely feel better than days ago. Tre White should be close to 100% now that he has had some time to rest up. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn showed that his rust wore off quickly against the Badgers. Illinois as a unit is healthier.
I have hope in the final few games, and beyond, that Illinois can still do some damage because I know this team has talent.
Sure, I was hard on the transfer portal players, but this program is much bigger than a few transfers. Brad Underwood did a good job getting a nice mix of transfer portal talent and players just entering the college ranks.
It absolutely sucks that Morez Johnson Jr. is out for the season. He was having such a great year. But I am riding with the other newcomers to the college game. I know some people I have chatted with are souring on the Kasparas Jakucionis experiment, but I still have a firm belief this kid is the real deal.
With Jakucionis leading the way, Illinois has a chance in any game. The combination of Jakucionis and Ivisic, when healthy, is lethal. I think these two can lead this program to great heights. They just need the vote of confidence because there are other “top dogs” on the team who think they are the No. 1 and No. 2 options. That isn’t the case, though. Everything offensively should run through these two.
The ability to lean on Will Riley in big moments has helped Illinois too. I am comfortable with these three players who are new to the college game taking over this program.
Illinois basketball didn’t make things easy as we come down to the stretch of the 2024-25 season
There are four games left of the season, and the Illini sit at 17-10 overall and 9-8 in the Big Ten. This would normally be on the bubble most seasons.
Illinois has played a tough schedule, and there are some extenuating circumstances that have put us in this position. With that being said, I think the Illini could easily work our way onto the bubble if we aren’t careful.
To finish the season, Illinois has a neutral game against No. 3 Duke, home against Iowa, at No. 12 Michigan, and home against No. 13 Purdue. That is a tough schedule.
A victory on Saturday against the Blue Devils would rock the college basketball world. I think it can happen if Illinois plays our A or better game. When we do this, I think we are unbeatable. Sadly, it hasn’t happened in quite some time. Let’s work some magic and sock the world this weekend.