I think that this freshman class is VERY special. The are the foundation for a great team in years to come if they stick together. Add a big or two next year and they may be world beaters.
But they're FRESHMEN. Counting on them to carry the team like Keaton did is asking a lot. Acquiring Blackwell as the second guard would mean that we wouldn't have to count on any freshmen. We'd have 7 players who are proven performers at every position with 5 freshmen being initiated into Illini basketball by years end. talent? yes! experience? no....
Love this team....but we're short one scorer at guard.
I. E. we're not quite done...
P.S. In my 70 years of watching Illini basketball, we've NEVER had a freshman before like Keaton Wagler. Should we count on that two years in a row??