CHAMPAIGN — Mike LaTulip was this close to scrapping his plan to sit out the 2015-16 season, giving up that year of eligibility he was trying to preserve and use as a graduate transfer at another program, where he could have a larger role.
The start of the Illinois’ season, that first game against North Florida, had the Illini senior walk-on seriously re-evaluating his decision.
“I was talking to my mom, and she was like, ‘Maybe you should play,’” LaTulip said. “I’m telling you, I was so close.”
As injuries mounted for the Illini at the beginning of the year, LaTulip again reconsidered.