At this point Illinois has to stop playing fair and start playing with the big boys
Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal
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A week ago or so he was staying in the draft, not coming back. Now he might play for another team, not coming back to play for Illinois. Same freakin' result. Just keep recruiting. Other bigs will be available, with more rounded games. Move on, don't look back, and never count your chickens.
soupy17
- MI
Not that confusing to me. He can probably make a good amount of money going at Kentucky, Illinois, or going pro. Maybe he sees that in descending order, but he is going to use the next week to understand how that projects.
It isn't he certainly has the option to return. Dawson would fit nicely next to him as a 4 with his shooting ability.
I'd be disappointed if that were the case. B1G Freshman of the year, 2nd team All-American the next. I put him right up there with (but just under) Ayo as a reason we are in the position we are now versus where we were in the Groce years.
hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
this off-season we lost all three of our assistant coaches to the same position at other programs. we had a homegrown freshman that started every game transfer and a second-team all-american enter the portal. All after a season where we were a #1 seed.
personally i find posts that try to spin this off-season as anything other than negative eye roll inducing.
Kofi transferring to another program would signal that the UoI athletic department is not ready to compete with the NIL big boys
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illininutt
- Tinley Park
We must realize that the man that recruited him is gone.
Not likely he gets drafted. You know why? I do.
I’d be disappointed also. He was fantastic on and off the court here. But you don’t retire someone’s number who decided to leave your university for a different one.
Yea, I feel you. I think people from both sides spend too much time trying to convince each other how to feel.
It's been one heck of an off season.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
We might not win, but I'm certain we'll be in the runnings. We still have Belo, Brad, and Fletch. And the Illinois fanbase will step up to offer him an attractive NIL package. But make no mistake, a NPOY candidate has entered the transfer portal. It's sure to get crazy.
I don't blame Kofi or any player in this situation. They are doing what is best for them. But I just feel like college basketball itself is going to suffer greatly in this new reality. Players leaving early for the draft was one thing, but now it is a complete free-for-all every year. It is going to be really difficult to develop an attachment to any team, especially teams like us who don't typically get the elite talent and can't keep the players they do have.
KrushCow31
Former Krush Cow
- Chicago, IL
To me there's a big difference between not getting Kofi because he's leaving and riding off into the sunset for a professional career vs because he's transferring to a new team. So I don't quite get the people saying they're one and the same.
soupy17
- MI
I mean the whole thing is a bit unprecedented. I can't think of anyone of his talent level or who has collected similar accolades at one school deciding to later transfer.
Closest comparison I can think of is Russell Wilson, but he did graduate from NC State and went to Wisconsin as a grad transfer. I don't know what NC State does for rings of honor or anything, but Wilson was the 2021 commencement speaker at NC State this year, which is a pretty high honor for someone who has a different college next to his name on an NFL roster.
This had OA/CC written all over it! I understand commitment to coach who recruited you but what the hell is Underwood doing that develops the thought of transfer of Kofi let alone Miller?! Maybe the House of 'Paign is not as secure and stable as we are led to believe. Hope not but too many questions are glaring towards the Illini men's program. 
Everyone freaking relax. And chill out on Twitter too.
I also don’t necessarily blame Kofi for whatever decision he makes. And while I do think the players deserve this freedom and deserve to be able to make money....it’s clear it might ruin the passion I have for my favorite sport which is men’s college basketball. Or at least the passion I have rooting for one team year after year.
NWTS - Drake
NWTS - Drake
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
Thank you.
There's a brand new rule in place that is flipping College Basketball on it's ear, and everyone is trying to get their bearings straight. Let's let this play out. My goodness.
If Kofi thinks the fanbase turned on him he gone - he cares about NIL $$ that comes from fans LIKING him.
Twitter's hard to read right now.
Hey we did hire Tyler Underwood - not all is lost
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