Illikinen leaves badger program mid semester

[ZiggysFryBoy]

https://wkow.com/sport/2018/11/12/illikainen-leaves-wisconsin-basketball-program/

Staying in school at UW though.

Guess he's just tall.

[brewcity77]

I used to think the guys losing their love of basketball thing was just an excuse to run players off, but the more guys leave that program without much explanation, the more I think that playing that style actually does lead to them losing their love of the game.

[Oregon Warrior]

Party in Madison your senior year or ride the pine on a Gard coached Badger team? This one seems easy.

[wadesworld]

GARDed too hard.

[94Warrior]

What I find more shocking is that UW is actually receiving votes in the AP Top 25.  I don't see it.  I hope Gard coaches that team for years to come.

[fjm]

What I find more shocking is that UW is actually receiving votes in the AP Top 25.  I don't see it.  I hope Gard coaches that team for years to come.

My hope is that Madison is constantly juuuust outside the top 25. Like 35th IR so, recieving votes. So they keep hard around because he keeps getting them close but never succeed.

[GooooMarquette]

My hope is that Madison is constantly juuuust outside the top 25. Like 35th IR so, recieving votes. So they keep hard around because he keeps getting them close but never succeed.

I’m thinking more like the 50-60 range...good enough to hope for a bid, but not good enough to actually get one.

[GGGG]

He'll just grad transfer.  Smart for him not to play in the first game this year.  Earns his degree in May then will play elsewhere next year. 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

He'll just grad transfer.  Smart for him not to play in the first game this year.  Earns his degree in May then will play elsewhere next year.

Not sure who would want him.

[GGGG]

Not sure who would want him.

I could see him at a MAC or Horizon school next year.  I think he's a D1 player who had to wait his turn then got recruited over. 

[GooooMarquette]

Not sure who would want him.

Probably lots of mid-majors...

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Not sure who would want him.

Andy Van Vliet is a similar type of player who got sporadic minutes for the Badgers last season. William & Mary, a solid low major with sterling academics, took him on as a traditional transfer. Meaning they spent two years of scholarship for one year of Van Vliet. As a grad transfer, Ill...long name...will have plenty of mid and low major options.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Andy Van Vliet is a similar type of player who got sporadic minutes for the Badgers last season. William & Mary, a solid low major with sterling academics, took him on as a traditional transfer. Meaning they spent two years of scholarship for one year of Van Vliet. As a grad transfer, Ill...long name...will have plenty of mid and low major options.

AVV at least showed some potential on offense,  he just couldn't defend.  Illikanen got progressively worse during his career.   Big questions about his work ethic.  He even admitted as much last year in an article.

I could see him at a MAC or Horizon school next year.  I think he's a D1 player who had to wait his turn then got recruited over. 

He came in as a legit prospect but never developed.   Again, his numbers got worse and his playing time shrunk every year,  even as the team got worse.

Kid did well to earn a scholarship and use that to get a degree.  I think he's studying finance, so he should be setup for a nice career.

Time will tell if Alex wants to keep playing and if anyone gives him a shot.  But I'll be stunned if he becomes a productive player, even at the Horizon level.

[Jockey]

I used to think the guys losing their love of basketball thing was just an excuse to run players off, but the more guys leave that program without much explanation, the more I think that playing that style actually does lead to them losing their love of the game.

It’s not playing style. It’s playing time.

[GGGG]

AVV at least showed some potential on offense,  he just couldn't defend.  Illikanen got progressively worse during his career.   Big questions about his work ethic.  He even admitted as much last year in an article.

He came in as a legit prospect but never developed.   Again, his numbers got worse and his playing time shrunk every year,  even as the team got worse.

Kid did well to earn a scholarship and use that to get a degree.  I think he's studying finance, so he should be setup for a nice career.

Time will tell if Alex wants to keep playing and if anyone gives him a shot.  But I'll be stunned if he becomes a productive player, even at the Horizon level.

I never said he would be a productive player.  You asked "who would want him."  I think plenty of schools with a one-year opening would take a flyer on the guy.

[brewcity77]

It’s not playing style. It’s playing time.

I'm sticking with playing style, because it's far more enjoyable to think that UW-Madison's style of play that makes neutral fans want to stop watching basketball also makes their players want to stop playing 

[MU82]

Maybe he quit so he wouldn't get hurt as he prepares himself for the NFL draft!

[Jockey]

I'm sticking with playing style, because it's far more enjoyable to think that UW-Madison's style of play that makes neutral fans want to stop watching basketball also makes their players want to stop playing 

What is it when guys transfer from MU on a regular basis?

(Not defending UW, just asking what the difference is.)