Illinois will have a men's basketball team in 2018-19. The Big Ten doesn't want to play a school short.
On Monday, two more players announced they would not be part of the team, including a guy we watched locally for years, Michael Finke, and Te'Jon Lucas followed Leron Black (pro basketball) and Mark Smith (transfer) out of town.
Finke has another year of basketball eligibility. With degree in hand, he will spend it somewhere other than his hometown.
Will he join his brother Tim at Grand Canyon? Makes perfect sense. But don't be surprised if a school from the Power 6, one with the need for a good guy with a nice shot, takes him instead.