Transfer portal big man sets Zoom call with Illinois basketball program

The Illinois basketball team is looking at a big man option in the transfer portal.

It will be a wild ride this offseason, as the Illini look to retool the roster to hopefully make another run in the NCAA tournament in 2026. Brad Underwood is already in the mix for some talented transfer portal players, and a new name has popped up.

On Wednesday night, Joe Tipton of On3 reported that Illinois and Ohio State both have Zoom calls with big man, Christoph Tilly.

Tilly is a 7-foot, 240-pound center who played his last three seasons at Santa Clara. He has continuously improved his game over the time he has been with the Broncos, as he finished up his junior season averaging 12.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

Christoph Tilly would be a perfect transfer portal option for the Illinois basketball program

In an article on Wednesday, I posted three areas Illinois needed to address in the transfer portal. One of those areas was a backup big man. I think that is exactly what Tilly would be for Illinois.

If Underwood was looking at Tilly as the starter for next season, potentially knowing that Tomislav Ivisic was departing, then I would be worried. I don’t think Tilly is a starting caliber Big Ten center. But I think he fits well as a primary backup.

Tilly’s shooting metrics worry me a bit, as he hits 55.4% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range. I do like his 77.1% from the charity stripe, though. Tilly played one Big Ten team in 2024-25, and it was Washington. He was shut down for six points, two rebounds, and two blocks in 16 minutes of action.

You also have to think that while Tilly’s numbers are good, they are against West Coast Conference programs for the most part. I think he would be a good fit on the Illinois roster, though. My hope is that Morez Johnson Jr. and Ivisic start in the front court, and then Tilly comes off the bench and spells minutes for Ivisic. That is what I want for next season.