Goodbye, Columbus

The NCAA men’s basketball season is heating up, with local favorites Northwestern and Illinois both looking to return to “the big dance.” Whether or not that happens, both teams will look different. Gone are NU star guard Boo Buie and Illinois guard/forward Terrence Shannon Jr. Buie was all-world his last two seasons with the Wildcats. In 2022-23, he averaged 17.3 points and 4.6 assists a game. Then, last season, he improved 19 points and five assists. Both seasons, Buie powered an underdog program into the D-I tournament. Shannon spent two years at Illinois. In 2022-23 he averaged 17 points and 4.6 points a game; last year it was 23 points and four rebounds. Shannon’s play helped get the Illini back to the tournament after a one-year absence. What a difference a year makes. Both players entered the NBA draft in June. Buie went undrafted, after which he played for the Suns’ summer-league before signing with the Knicks; he’s now on a two-way contract with them. Shannon was picked by the Timberwolves in the first round but has only played 3.7 minutes in four games. Buie is 6’2”, Shannon 6’6”. Players that size have to possess superior skills just to make an NBA team, let alone start. All Buie and Shannon can do is hope they demonstrate those skills before another flood of players enters the draft. The odds are slim, at best. Reading a little Philip Roth may provide some comfort in the meantime.