NCAA Basketball: Top 26 team transfer winners from 2022 offseason

Outgoing transfers: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Omar Payne, Andre Curbelo, Jacob Grandison,  Brandin Podziemski

Incoming transfers: Dain Dainja (Baylor), Matthew Mayer (Baylor), Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech)

The Illini did lose a few role players from the bench to the portal but the hope is that they have three clear-cut starters that could be primed for major roles next season. Dainja is a 6’9 big man that is very skilled, including being a capable passer and ball-handler, and could play a similar role as Jaylin Williams from Arkansas did. Without Kofi Cockburn, he’ll also have to be a legit post scorer to help balance out the offense.

His former and now current teammate, Matthew Mayer, averaged 9.8 ppg and 5.0 rpg as a starter for Baylor. His shooting numbers slipped a bit but he’s a career 40% shooter from deep and is an elite stretch forward option. With more of a role on offense could be a 15 ppg performer.

The same thing could be said of another Big 12 transfer in Terrence Shannon, a 6’6 wing that is a strong “3 and D” player and is capable of being a big scorer as well in a different system. The athleticism and shooting that these two provide could be the difference in this revamped roster.

Had Illinois landed a true point guard on the roster, I could’ve made the case that they had the No. 1 offseason via the portal but Shannon and Mayer give them great options on the wings and could make them the team to beat in the Big Ten. All in all, nice job by the Illini.