Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini loss to Iowa

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IOWA CITY. IA- FEBRUARY 02: Iowa forward Luka Garza (55) blocks a shot by Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) during a Big Ten Conference basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City Ia, on February 02, 2020. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. The Big 3 didn’t produce

One of the most exciting things in the world is watching Illinois’ Big 3 of Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn and Trent Frazier dazzle on the court. These three are the best trio of players we have put out on the court since Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head.

But, on Sunday, the Big 3 didn’t produce as they needed to for the Illini to win the game. I was shocked we were even as close as we were to Iowa with the numbers the Big 3 were putting up.

The weakest of the Big 3 against Iowa was Cockburn. He had a tough matchup with big man Luka Garza, but I still wanted to see more production out of him. Cockburn finished the game with 6 points, 6 rebounds and 3 turnovers. He shot 2-of-6 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free throw line.

I would say Ayo was in the same grouping as Cockburn as far as disappointing on Sunday. Ayo didn’t have a horrific game by any means, but there wasn’t enough production there for the Illini to win. He only had 11 points and 3 assists on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and 1-of-3 from three-point range.

Trent Frazier put up the most points out of the Big 3, but his shooting wasn’t great. He was able to drop 12 points while adding 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Frazier was 4-of-12 from the field and 3-of-8 from three-point range as well.

Honestly, it felt like we played to Iowa’s game on Sunday. This Big 3 is going to be legendary for the Illini, but we will need more out of them if we want to continue winning.

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