BREAKING: Illinois Lands Marcus Domask

Breaking: Illinois lands Marcus Domask from the Transfer portal.

At long last, Illinois Basketball has made its first move in the transfer portal. After losing two players to the portal, Illinois has added SIU Transfer Guard Marcus Domask. Domask is a native of Wisconsin who played a large role on an SIU Team. He has decided to transfer to Illinois as a graduate transfer after averaging 16.7 ppg, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Domask brings some much needed veteran ball-handling, in addition to a solid outside stroke.

Illinois lands a Brad Underwood guy.

Illinois landed Domask over Notre Dame and Wisconsin. Though there are always questions about an MVC grad transfer adjusting to the Big Ten level, one can be assured that Micah Shrewsberry and Greg Gard both came after Domask. Shrewsberry notably beat Illinois 3 times this year, and utilized the transfer portal to attain strong shooters. Domask is a 6 foot 6 combo guard that fills a lot of needs for Illinois.

He is not the lead guard that Illinois must add, but he checks off a lot of boxes. If Coleman Hawkins and/or Terrence Shannon Jr. return, Domask can be an important floor spacer and secondary ball-handler. Domask is an above average passer and will provide much needed floor spacing given that he will be playing amongst players like Ty Rodgers, Dain Dainja and Sencire Harris.

Who compares to Marcus Domask?

Domask’s film reminds me a lot of Jacob Grandison. Marcus is not necessarily the best athlete nor will he be the best player on the team. However, he shows the potential to be that “glue guy”. That guy that makes three point shots at a solid rate, cuts well and makes the proper pass. Honestly, Grandison getting injured during the 2021-22 season hurt Illinois a lot. He was the most consistent perimeter threat and did such an underrated job of getting Kofi Cockburn the ball through the high-low.

Domask will not be that lead guard everyone is pining for to replace Jayden Epps, however he is a necessary glue piece. He also has a far better handle than Grandison which has lead many to compare him to Nebraska guard Sam Griesel. Griesel’s shooting numbers went down after transferring from North Dakota state, however proved to be a solid Big Ten player.

Who will Illinois land next?

Illinois will continue to play the patient game in the portal. Fans have been getting restless as many options come off the board, however if you think back to last year, Matt Mayer and Terrence Shannon Jr all committed to Illinois in late April-early May. Illinois will likely await players who are currently testing the draft waters.

Additionally, two of their own are currently decisions that are up in the air. Coleman Hawkins and Terrence Shannon Jr both have the opportunity to be draft picks this year, however there still is a significant pull for both of them to return to Champaign for one last go round. If both can return and Illinois can land more like Marcus Domask, the Illini may have a far more smooth season than it did last year.