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Illinois Basketball: 5 eye-popping improvements for Illini in 2019-2020

By Rees Woodcock

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after dunking the ball during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on January 21, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after dunking the ball during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on January 21, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 05: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini calls out to his teammates in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

2. Average second half scoring margin

Some people might read this and say, “Duh, if the average scoring margin is better, then the second half scoring margin has to be better.” Well, that is not the case at all.

When it comes to first half scoring margin, Illinois was about the same year-to-year in 2018-19 and 2019-20. Two seasons ago, the Illini had a +2.4 scoring margin in the first half, and this past season they had a +3.4 scoring margin. That means we were a solid first half team.

The second half is where the tires would fall off in years past. Illinois had a -5.2 average second half scoring margin during the 2018-19 campaign. That is such a bad number for a single half, let alone an entire game. There is no wonder this program only won 12 games that year.

Illinois improved that second half scoring margin this past season, though. They went from a -5.2 average second half scoring margin just two seasons ago to a +1.8 second half scoring margin this past season. That means we were seven points better in the second half of games year-to-year. Those are incredible numbers.

There are multiple reasons Illinois was a much better team in the second half this past season. Kofi Cockburn being in the paint is always a huge help. But the main thing that I think changed between the two teams is having a go-to-guy. Ayo Dosunmu was trying to find his place as a freshman, but this past season he took over games. The ball was his down the stretch and this was the difference maker.

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