Illinois Basketball: There Is a Clear Divide in Alonzo Verge's Top Six

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The group of four that are currently committed to the Illinois basketball program should be the foundation for great things to come.

This group consists of Jeremiah Tilmon, Javon Pickett, Da’Monte Williams and Trent Frazier. All of these recruits will play a huge role on the team.

But, with two scholarships remaining, the possibilities to fill them are getting few and far between.

Yesterday, another recruit cut his list down to just six teams and this time the Illini made the cut.

Class of 2017 combo guard, Alonzo Verge Jr, decided to cut his list which included Ohio, Oregon, Minnesota, Indiana State, Providence and Illinois.

pic.twitter.com/1TuzhnUUmW

— Alonzo Verge Jr (@verge_jr25) October 26, 2016

This is quite an eclectic list for Verge. He includes some mid-major teams, east coast teams, midwest teams and west coast teams. It is really hard to get a read on where he will go.

Verge’s recruitment went quiet for a few months as some of the bigger names appeared and are still appearing in the headlines.

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But, it looks like Verge is down to his top six so let’s take a look at what could be his deciding factor.

The position I think Verge will play at the college level is point guard. He is a taller, bigger built, point guard but he doesn’t have the great shooting ability to be a two-guard.

With that being said, Illinois will have Te’Jon Lucas entering his sophomore campaign and Trent Frazier will be a freshman.

I think Lucas will probably be starting in 2017 with Frazier getting a decent timeshare. That leaves Verge probably getting something like 5-8 minutes year one.

This trend will likely be the same for the next few seasons unless Lucas or Frazier declares for the NBA Draft.

So, if Verge is looking for immediate playing time then Illinois probably isn’t a great place to go. If he wants good coaching with time to progress as a player, the Illini would be perfect.

I think there is a clear divide between the teams Verge selected as his top six.

When you look at Illinois, Oregon and Providence these programs are not about playing time. Verge would not start immediately for these teams, but he would be more about development.

With the addition of Ohio, Minnesota and Indiana State the mindset would be playing time. All three of these programs need more point guard help immediately.

So, really, I think Verge’s commitment comes down to how much he values playing time over development.

I think Verge is a great ball handler with fearlessness on the basketball court that you can’t teach. He will be a nice piece wherever he commits, and I would not mind him coming to Champaign.