Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 3 ways the Illini can take down Nebraska

By Jalen Wilson

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a play during the second half of a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 72-57. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a play during the second half of a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 72-57. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 14: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the court in the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 14: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the court in the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

2. Get Kofi the ball early

People can argue that Kofi Cockburn has been Illinois’ second most consistent player on the team this season. These past few games before the Penn State game, Kofi struggled on offense. But Kofi got going against Penn State and didn’t look back. If Illinois can get Kofi going early, it will cause problems for the Cornhuskers.

Getting Kofi the ball early can put Nebraska big men in foul trouble too. Refs haven’t been shy blowing their whistle’s on opposing big men. Kofi has shot a total of 13 free throws in the past three games. He has drawn a total of seven shooting fouls and there is no number to how many non-shooting fouls he has drawn.

Illinois will benefit greatly from getting Kofi the ball in the post and letting him go to work. Nebraska has struggled with opposing team’s big men the past four games. The Cornhuskers have given up 22,10,16 and 13 points to opposing team big men in that span, respectively. Clearly, the Cornhuskers struggle against teams with good big men. I think Illinois will look to feed Kofi early, but he just has to execute in the post against Nebraska.

If Illinois can get the ball to Kofi and let him work, we should have a good chance of winning. This is a very beatable Nebraska team and the offense will go through our big man.

Home/Illinois Basketball