Make no mistake about it – Adam Miller’s potential return to Illinois would be as self-serving as it was when he left

Now, his camp is going to try and spin it as the homegrown hero that saw the error in his ways and wants to return to Illinois to right his wrong, etc…

The reality is, and make no mistake about it; this is a 1000% business decision on his part before ANYTHING else. First, he would want the University of Illinois network in places like Peoria and Chicago, where it would go the farthest for him because that’s where he has the most name recognition. AND – let’s face it – Adam is hitting the job market after his basketball career is over in March/April of ‘26 (especially in the United States). You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to know a few well-timed good UofI referrals would go a long way in these places. Plus, for this season at least, he will be able to slang merch again. The only place he will make any money with NIL. Plus, plus this is the only chance for him to create a legacy as a basketball player because he wouldn’t have gotten there just simply as a player. It’s the wholesome story as old as time –  “the begotten son who found his way back home.” BARF. The truth is he’s just another 9ppg scorer at Arizona St and LSU with no real legacy, just another athlete that has come and gone. He didn’t win at either one. He didn’t really do anything at either one. And through it all he watched Illinois win championships and play in the NCAA Tournament. 

Now the basketball player the Illini would get this time I don’t really know – and full disclosure – I didn’t like Adam’s game that much the first time around. He was basically a 3 point shooter. No dribble bag. No real shake to him. Could get downhill and dunk or shoot 3’s. He’s likely a more well-rounded player these days but pretty much the same guy if that makes sense with the biggest difference being not nearly as much upside and only 1 year of eligibility left. He also suffered a major knee injury since he left Illinois but it has been a few years so he’s probably as recovered as he will ever be at this point, and learned how to play with the limitation in his knee. So, again, he is probably a less explosive version but more experienced overall which could make him a push as far as which Illini version of Adam (freshman or 6th year) would be better is what I’m getting at. Follow me here guys. That might not make any sense but it does in my head so I’m rolling with it.

If, and only if, he’s okay with a bench role, I say whatever. A veteran presence on the bench that can shoot 42% from 3 from a guy that you’re not dependent on is fine. Basically whatever you get from Adam is a bonus and for what it’s worth, this squad could use some shooting.

But I will say this; if he gets a hero’s welcome home it will make me want to puke all over the place.

For the record, nothing is official yet, but if I were a betting man and you’re giving me the ML at -110 that the reunion happens I’m taking that action. My guess is that it’s up to Brad and the boys at Illinois to pull the trigger at this point after Adam and his team put the feelers out to see if there’s any real money on the table for his services across college basketball. He will take the $ first and foremost. I would be shocked if there’s real money out there for role players with a year of service time left but I have been wrong before. Time will tell.