WEB EXTRA: Finke talks Illini visit
By: Austin Kim
Updated: August 29, 2012
CHAMPAIGN - Centennial junior forward Michael Finke took an unofficial visit to Illinois earlier this week. He talked about the visit with our Austin Kim.
Finke met with the Illinois coaching staff while watching some Illini players practice on Monday. He said John Groce and his assistants impressed him because they all seemed "like a family." Finke also said Groce believed he was a good fit for Illinois' new system.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Finke does not have an Illinois offer.
The 6-foot-9-inch forward's stock has risen over the summer. He initially only had mid-major offers, but offers from Wisconsin and Iowa came in around August. According to Finke, that is also when Illinois came into the picture. The prospect said Illini assistant Jamall Walker contacted him after the Big Ten rivals offered to schedule a visit. The Champaign native is scheduled to visit Wisconsin and Iowa in mid-September.
Now other large schools have taken notice. Finke said Stanford, Oregon State, Tennessee, Boston College and Missouri have all expressed interest in his services.
Finke met with the Illinois coaching staff while watching some Illini players practice on Monday. He said John Groce and his assistants impressed him because they all seemed "like a family." Finke also said Groce believed he was a good fit for Illinois' new system.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Finke does not have an Illinois offer.
The 6-foot-9-inch forward's stock has risen over the summer. He initially only had mid-major offers, but offers from Wisconsin and Iowa came in around August. According to Finke, that is also when Illinois came into the picture. The prospect said Illini assistant Jamall Walker contacted him after the Big Ten rivals offered to schedule a visit. The Champaign native is scheduled to visit Wisconsin and Iowa in mid-September.
Now other large schools have taken notice. Finke said Stanford, Oregon State, Tennessee, Boston College and Missouri have all expressed interest in his services.
