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NCAA Basketball: Teams impacted most by unique 2020 offseason

By Drew Schmelzer

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 26: Kofi Cockburn #21 and Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 26: Kofi Cockburn #21 and Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

2. NCAA Basketball program hurt most by unique offseason – Ilinois

The Illini are an interesting study because the difference between an amazing season and an underwhelming one in Champagne rests entirely on the NBA draft decision of Ayo Dosunmu (16.6 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 3.3 Ast) and Kofi Cockburn (13.3 Pts, 8.8 Reb, 0.6 Ast). Brad Underwood is trying to build something, and the return of Dosunmu and Cockburn would aid that ambition, but if they leave, Underwood is essentially back to square one.

However, Illinois brings in one of the top freshman classes in the Big Ten with a top-50 guard duo in Adam Miller and Andre Curbello. A year alongside Dosunmu would be extremely beneficial to both. In a non-COVID19 environment, even if Dosunmu did officially turn pro, he’d still have been able to spend some extra time on campus with his potential replacements. Not a help today. The cultural revolution that Dosunmu has led at Illinois may be in some jeopardy. I expect he and Cockburn to both turn pro, which leaves a lot of work to be done, but not a lot of time.

Illinois had its best season in years’ in 2019-20, but they still had some big things to shore up this summer. They were the second-worst team in the Big Ten in scoring and with what is expected to be a relatively new team there will be limited time to get the offense figured out. Incoming junior Giorgi Bezhanishvilli (6.8 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 1.6 Ast) will more than likely have to step in and be the go-to guy on this team which is a far cry from Dosunmu and Cockburn. There aren’t many other options besides Bezhanishvilli and there isn’t time to develop new ones given the restrictions caused by the pandemic.

The uncertainty in Champagne doesn’t even give the opportunity for the Illini to brainstorm its best roster rotation and the official draft declaration doesn’t occur until August 1st. Brad Underwood’s group could be ranked anywhere between 4th and 14th in the Big Ten depending on what happens in the next couple of months. The restrictions on workouts and practices give little opportunity for a team like this to develop and pivot based on who stays and who goes. Miller and Curbello need to be ready to go in game one, and that’s a big ask considering the lack of preparation time they are going to have.

I like the future of Illinois basketball. There’s been no better rebuilding job in the Big Ten outside of the magic Steve Pikiell’s performed in Piscataway. But there is also not a sure thing right now in Champagne and not much time for a contingency plan. Illini fans should probably brace themselves.

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