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NCAA Basketball: Update on free agent transfer Emoni Bates and his options

By Tristan Freeman

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 9: Emoni Bates #1 of the Memphis Tigers celebrates after the game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on November 9, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Tennessee Tech 89-65. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 9: Emoni Bates #1 of the Memphis Tigers celebrates after the game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on November 9, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Tennessee Tech 89-65. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /
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Big Ten Basketball
NCAA Basketball Brad Underwood Illinois Fighting Illini (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Could Emoni Bates end up with a Big Ten program after all?

With Michigan seemingly out of the mix, could rival and the team Bates formerly committed to being in the mix in Michigan State? There was some potential for a conversation to happen after the Spartans lost starting freshman wing Max Christie to the NBA Draft. And once Oakland transfer Micah Parrish ended up at San Diego State, Bates could’ve easily been the ideal replacement for the Big Ten program.

Except nothing has happened that would even signal head coach Tom Izzo has an interest in Bates. The team hasn’t landed a single transfer this offseason at either the wing or center position and looks to be comfortable taking this current roster into the 2022-23 campaign. There also just seems to be some bridges that were burned in the first go-around that neither side wants to revisit, even if both sides could benefit from joining forces?

Is Illinois looking to make another big splash?

After landing former Kentucky commit and five-star point guard Skyy Clark, Baylor transfer Matthew Mayer and Texas Tech shooting guard Terrence Shannon Jr., head coach Brad Underwood, and the Fighting Illini have been the big winners of the offseason so far. But are they done?

Greg Waddell and Carter Elliott of Sleepers Media discussed the latest rumors concerning Illinois and Emoni Bates and while they dismissed the odds, bigger surprises have occurred. They could add Bates to the lineup in place of RJ Melendez and form one of the most talented rosters in the entire country. Plus, it would be a big move to spite the likes of both Michigan and Michigan State in the Big Ten.

It’s doubtful that anything meaningful will occur between these two sides going forward but when a recruitment goes into the 60-day mark, new teams are likely to enter the fray. After a big offseason for the program so far, maybe Coach Underwood has one last trick up his sleeve to make Illinois become the team to beat in the Big Ten.

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