2. Get Kofi Cockburn going offensively
It is no secret Kofi Cockburn has been a huge presence on the defensive end of the floor for the Orange and Blue. However, the Illini big man has struggled on the offensive end of the floor, especially during their last two games.
Cockburn only scored seven points and hauled in one offensive rebound in just 18 minutes of play versus a stout Baylor Bears defense. Additionally, Cockburn only attempted four total shots versus the Bears and shot an underwhelming 1-of-3 from the line.
Despite getting the roadkill versus the No. 10 rank Duke Blue Devils, Cockburn continued to struggle offensively. The sophomore big man racked up 13 points but failed to grab an offensive rebound. He would finish the night shooting a poor 50-percent from the free throw line, converting on only 5-of-10 attempts for the game.
Things will not come easy for Cockburn in Saturday’s Braggin’ Rights game, as he will be battling against former Illini commit Jeremiah Tilmon. Cockburn did a phenomenal job in the paint in last season’s battle, holding the Tigers’ big man to only 4 points, 1 rebound, and causing him to foul out of the game.
Tilmon enters this year’s battle as the Tigers’ leader in rebounds with 8.8 boards per game. The Mizzou big man is also averaging 8.5 points per game.