Basketball
Illinois basketball sets Zoom call with intriguing 7-Foot Center
Are the Illini preparing for all scenarios here?
Per Joe Tipton of On3sports, Illinois basketball will have a Zoom call today with Santa Clara center Christoph Tilly. Tilly is a 7′ 0″ big man weighing 240 lbs who just finished his third year with the Santa Clara Broncos. This past season, he averaged 12.2 ppg, 4.8 RPG, and 1.8 apg on 54.9% field goal percentage. According to Tipton’s tweet, Tilly will also have a Zoom call with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Per his film, Tilly is a stretch big with strong hands and a perimeter-oriented game. He is not a stretch-four by any means; however, is a skilled scorer. Obviously, rebounding will be a question mark as 4.8 rebounds per game as a seven-footer is a bit suspect, however, he is getting high-major interest.
The Fit with Illinois
Mar 21, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA: Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) drives to the hoop past Xavier Musketeers guard Dayvion McKnight (20) during the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Illinois basketball seems to have shown that their frontcourt of the future involves Tomislav Ivisic and Morez Johnson Jr. Ivisic proved to be a centerpiece of the Illini on both sides of the ball down the stretch of the season. Johnson Jr showed flashes of major promise as a true freshman and showed the ability to play alongside Ivisic. Morez’s athleticism and hustle have allowed him to become a true fan favorite and a guy that the Illinois basketball staff must retain.
A truly fluid situation
Feb 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) dunks the ball during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Reports floating around expect both Ivisic and Johnson Jr. to return to the Illini. If so, the fit for Tilly would be rather questionable as there would not be much space for the German 7-footer. However, this Zoom call tells me that not all is set in stone for the Illini. The transfer portal season is truly a fluid situation, with decisions being made and changed with the snap of a finger. Even if they set a deal for Johnson Jr., could the young man look elsewhere, given the amount of money people are throwing around in the portal?
Only time will tell in regards to that. This Zoom call with Christoph Tilly proves that Illini know that they must be ready for anything.
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