NCAA Basketball: Graduate transfer TJ Holyfield down to five schools

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: TJ Holyfield #22 of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks shoots against Zach Smith #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 14: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini gives instructions to his team against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the United Center on March 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Illinois Illini

It makes perfect sense why the Illini is part of this list, as their head coach Brad Underwood was the man who brought Holyfield to Stephen F. Austin. In the 2015-16 season, Holyfield was a freshman starter on the 28-win Lumberjacks team that defeated West Virginia in a 14 over 3 upset victory (Holyfield fouled out in nine minutes of action).

The chance to reunite is an important factor but Illinois’ roster also should intrigue the grad transfer. They return their top four scorers from this past season, including future NBA Draft pick Ayo Dosunmu. He, Trent Frazier, and Andres Feliz will make up a very good backcourt, with Giorgi Bezhanishvili holding it down at the five-spot. But the weak spot right now is at the power forward position, with just the undersized Kipper Nichols coming back.

The 6’8 Holyfield would be a perfect addition, particularly on defense. The Illini was a poor defensive team overall, ranked in the 300s in two-point field goal percentage. He also will help out on the rebounding end and add solid depth in the frontcourt. In a Big Ten that has lost a ton of frontcourt production like Tyler Cook, Bruno Fernando, and Nick Ward, Holyfield could come in a make a big impact on a team expected to make the NCAA Tournament.

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