Illinois basketball: Brad Underwood discusses transfer addition, roster outlook entering 2021
Illinois is moving into a question-filled offseason after posting their best season under head coach Brad Underwood.
Behind the dynamic duo of Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn, the Illini posted a 24-7 record and finished second in the B1G during the regular season on percentage points. A run through the B1G Tournament netted Illinois a number one seed for the NCAA Tournament, but a disappointing loss to Loyola-Chicago brought the season to an abrupt end.
Entering the spring and summer of 2021, Underwood and staff face the challenge of keeping the team rolling along while dealing with some roster turnover. All American Ayo Dosunmu is off to the NBA Draft, as is big man Kofi Cockburn, though Cockburn could presumably withdraw from the draft if he does not hire an agent. Freshman guard Adam Miller is also looking to leave via the transfer portal.
With all of the departures, Illinois finally received some good news over the weekend. Guard Trent Frazier announced he would utilize the extra year of eligibility provided by the NCAA and return for one more year with the Illini. That is a boost as Frazier started all 31 games last season and finished third on the team at 10.2 points per game.
Along with Frazier’s return, Illinois also picked up transfer guard Alfonso Plummer out of Utah. A 6-foot-1 guard, Plummer is a career 40% three-point shooter in two seasons with the Utes and averaged 13.6 points last season.
Monday evening, Underwood met with the media and discussed the outlook with Frazier and Plummer on board. Jeremy Werner with 247 Sports shared Underwood’s comments.
#illini Underwood on Trent Frazier return: Been a major part of this program growing and becoming better. I think he's the elite perimeter defender in college basketball, was in the Big Ten for sure. He's the Energizer bunner. His motor never stops.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021
#illini Underwood: Plummer has tremendous IQ, tremendous feel, a gym rat. Passion to be great. Can play on the ball, which fits our multi-guard offense.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021
#illini Underwood: Frazier "epitomizes everything our culture is about. Very, very excited to have Trent."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021
#illini Underwood: Team could be an outstanding three-point shooting team next year with Plummer and Frazier. Great speed and tenacity.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021
#illini Underwood: Plummer is stronger, physical on deense. Has a more mature body physically.
"We've always gotten guys to guard. We don't worry too much about size."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021
"When guys are in the portal, they're not a part of us. …We have to go on and find guys who are a part of us."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021
#illini Brad Underwood: Continues to communicate with Da'Monte Williams. No decision there yet.
"We want to do what's best for him academically and athletically as well."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021
#illini Brad Underwood: "Ayo's gone. He's going to be a first-round pick. We feel pretty strongly about that."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021
#illini Underwood: Kofi is here. He's working out. My approach is no different. We're going to do everything we can to help him reaches his dream.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 19, 2021