Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Penn State

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Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) drives the ball to the basket as Penn State Nittany Lions forward John Harrar (21) defends during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois basketball team went on the road for the fourth time in a five-game stretch on Wednesday night.

Over the past five years, Penn State has been a thorn in the side for the Illini. The game on Wednesday night started to look that way to begin the game as well. After being down 15 points early on, Illinois turned the tides and were tied with the Nittany Lions at halftime. Penn State couldn’t stop the Orange and Blue, and Illinois ended up cruising to an easy 98-81 victory.

Here are four observations from the Illini win over Penn State.

1. Kofi is starting to get into a groove

To start the 2020-21 campaign, things were shaky at best for Kofi Cockburn. There were multiple games where he played fewer than 20 minutes. One of these contests included a 7-point, 4-rebound night against No. 2 Baylor.

I think it is fair to say that Kofi was struggling. It didn’t seem that he had his touch. His rebounding was off a little bit. Things were being forced into the big man as well. But this has all changed in the last three games.

Kofi put up 33 points and 13 rebounds in the double-digit drubbing of Minnesota back on December 15. He then followed that up with 17 points and 12 rebounds in a tough loss against No. 19 Rutgers. On Wednesday night, the big man was on fire again for the Illini.

Penn State got the full wrath of Kofi. They weren’t able to stop him, as he went for 23 points and pulled down six rebounds. Shockingly, the Nittany Lions didn’t send Kofi to the free throw line. Kofi only shot three free throws on the night. But he was an outstanding 11-of-13 from the field.

The touch that Kofi possessed against Penn State was impressive. He would get the ball in the post and was able to do a baby-hook all night long. You can tell him and Giorgi Bezhanishvili have been working on the baby-hook over the past year. Both players are really getting that down well.

Kofi getting into a groove is going to bear fruit for the Orange and Blue this season. Over the last three games, he has averaged 24.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. If he can continue on that pace this season, then Illinois has a chance to win the whole darn thing.

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