CHAMPAIGN — Illinois men's basketball almost had to branch out nationally in trying to build its 2019 recruiting class. E.J. Liddell was the only player from Illinois ranked in the top 100 by both Rivals or 247Sports, and the state champ from Belleville West signed with Ohio State in November.
Recruiting nationally paid off for Brad Underwood and the Illini with a pair of 2019 commitments in five-star center Kofi Cockburn and four-star center Antwan January, who took his official visit last week.
The next two classes, though? Illinois should turn its attention back to the homefront with four-star guards Adam Miller and D.