I was hoping for more gains from the transfer portal, preferably an elite center that can score and be a rim protector and also a big guard/wing capable of scoring on multiple levels and athletic enough of guarding opponents big guards/wings. Neither has been acquired in the portal. Yes, Illinois acquired a mid talented center but not the elite one needed to contend for a B1G championship. Illini also needed a bigger elite guard/wing to be another go to scorer and primary defender. Illini, IMO without those kind and caliber of players, Illini did not improve their roster as much as, or to truly compete with teams like USC, OSU, Maryland and Iowa (possibly Michigan State too). Those other teams really added elite talent to add to elite talent already there. Illini can be in top 3rd of new Big Ten standings but are not championship contenders, IMO. To improve on last 2 years, with current players on hand, Illini big guard/wings Dolan, Wallace, Allen and Brown-Hager will have to shine and get meaningful minutes when playing teams with more talented and positional size. Magassa will have to be the paint defender and scorer Illini have sorely needed and Hobby tried to provide but fell short. Hayven Smith will back up Magassa in likely limited minutes. Bollin and/or Shoup-Hill also have to take dramatic leap up. Then if Bostic, Cook, Bryant and McKenzie crank it up and provide high level and consistent play, Illini can be maybe finish as 4-6th best team in conference and make NCAA tournament.