CHAMPAIGN — One of the big questions revolving around the Illinois basketball program entering the 2015-16 season was “Who was going to be the post presence at both ends of the floor with Nnanna Egwu graduated?”
John Groce and Co. took a big step in answering in on Saturday morning, securing an oral commitment from Charlotte transfer Mike Thorne Jr., a 6-foot-11, 270-pound center. Thorne, who will graduate from Charlotte next month, will be eligible next season at Illinois for his final year of eligibility.
He picked the Illini over Pittsburgh, Kansas and Kentucky.
Thorne averaged 10.