Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball Recruiting: Early look at each program’s 2019 class

By Justin Thind

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball as Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines knocks the ball loose during the first half at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball as Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines knocks the ball loose during the first half at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois most recently landed a commitment from Kofi Cockburn. He joins another center, Antwan January, as the only two players in the 2019 recruiting class for the Fighting Illini so far. While this looks like a small class, that was always the intention for head coach Brad Underwood. Barring unexpected departures, Illinois really only has room for one more addition.

The two most likely candidates to take this last spot are wingers Terrence Shannon and Christian Brown. If 247Sports’ Crystal Ball system is to be taken seriously, the Fighting Illini are the favorites to land Shannon. Shannon is a 4-star top-20 small forward from Chicago, Illinois. Christian Brown is someone who Illinois has newfound hope in landing, considering he is an Oak Hill teammate of the recently-committed Kofi Cockburn. He is also a 4-star, top 20 winger like Shannon. His recruitment doesn’t look as promising for Illinois as Shannon’s, but the Fighting Illini are still in the mix.

Looking at Illinois’ roster breakdown, the roster is quite balanced after considering the additions of big men Cockburn and January. Position-wise, there aren’t really any dire needs that Illinois must target; however, landing one of those two wingers would add a great deal of scoring and athleticism to the mix in Champaign.

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