No matter how it plays out in the end, it's been a historic season for the Illinois basketball team.
The Illini have made their first Elite 8 appearance since the 2004-05 season, and that is largely thanks to some key upperclassmen who will not return next season. Fortunately, the Orange and Blue could see some key additions this offseason to replace those voids.
According to Joe Tipton of On3.com, former Illinois recruiting target, guard Otega Oweh, is transferring from the University of Oklahoma.
NEWS: Oklahoma guard Otega Oweh plans to enter the transfer portal, he tells @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 25, 2024
The 6-5 sophomore averaged 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this season. Former four-star recruit.https://t.co/E9NtYIRc03 pic.twitter.com/VCSaRkzQwr
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound guard is coming off a sophomore season where he made an exponential leap from a relatively quiet freshman campaign. Oweh averaged 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 assists per game this season. He did this while shooting an impressive 49.3% from the field and nearly 38% from three-point range.
As a Freshman, Oweh averaged 4.8 points, and 2.1 rebounds with playing just over 13 minutes a game.
Watching his tape, Oweh makes some electric and flashy plays that get fans on their feet. He's more than capable of making some vicious chase-down blocks, throwing down some crazy dunks, hitting tightly contested shots, and getting to the rim with some impressive footwork.
In addition to Oweh entering the transfer portal, Dylan Lutey of Zagsblog.com reports numerous teams have been in contact with the talented guard. Among the teams listed included Illinois.
Otega Oweh enters the transfer portal after an impressive sophomore season:
— Dylan Lutey (@dylan_lutey) March 27, 2024
11.4 PPG
3.8 RPG
49.3% FG
37.7% 3FG
Oregon, Illinois, BYU, Georgetown, Missouri, Wake Forest, Utah, Virginia Tech, Washington, Indiana, Xavier, LSU, & UCLA are some that have shown interest, he says. pic.twitter.com/7o3pTVuoYw
How much work does the Illinois basketball team need to do in the transfer portal?
I previously mentioned the Orange and Blue will see some major losses following this season – those being Terrence Shannon, Jr., Coleman Hawkins, Marcus Domask, Quincy Guerrier, and Justin Harmon.
Fortunately, the Illini have a talented incoming 2024 recruiting class, headlined by Morez Johnson, a four-star big man out of Thornton Township High School. The class also includes four-star guard Jase Butler and three-star forward Jason Jakstys. The class ranks No. 22 in the nation, according to 247sports.
Illinois will also see some key returnees next season. Big man Dain Dainja, who is making an electric March Madness run, will be entering his senior season.
Junior guard Luke Goode, sophomore wing Ty Rodgers, sophomore guard Sencire Harris, and freshman guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn are among some of the other key returnees.
Another name to look out for in the transfer portal is A.J. Storr – another former Illini recruit who averaged nearly 17 points per game for the Wisconsin Badgers this season.