We may or may not have a chance at Liddell, Hamlin did Illinois a major favor and we should remember that. He does not have the skill level to contribute at the high major college level, and who could blame him for wanting to okay?
The big thing is Illinois is going to need another “big” and this allows Illinois to go out and get a player like Reuvers or Mitchel or whoever they feel can help Payne man the position.
Just my guess but I think Kofi is gone mostly because I am not sure he can develop his game any further at the college level. He will need to play facing the basket and have practice guarding modern centers like Anthony Davis. Illinois would have a tough time doing that. He is just simply so powerful around the basket that we would be forced to plant him on the block. He will find a place in the NBA due to his size and his tremendous attitude and work ethic. Question is can he develop into an Azubuke or is he a role player for certain matchups?
If somehow he did come back, and some how we did get Liddell, it would be far and away the best chance for Illinois to win it all, but I think the odds of that are small. Hamlin did Illinois a huge favor to help us build a solid team for next year while the player(s) we need are still available in the portal.