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Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat Indiana

By Collin Allen

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 27: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during the game against the Ohio Bobcats at State Farm Center on November 27, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 27: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during the game against the Ohio Bobcats at State Farm Center on November 27, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) blocks Penn State Nittany Lions guard Izaiah Brockington (12) during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois defeated Penn State 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kofi Cockburn continues to assert his dominance

Kofi Cockburn has been nothing short of dominant for the Illini lately.  He will enter Saturday’s game coming off of an outstanding performance in the Illini’s Wednesday night win at Penn State.

Kofi scored 23 points while shooting 11-of-13 from the floor in the contest.  The Nittany Lions seemingly did not have an answer for Kofi, as he would additionally record 6 rebounds and 1 block on the evening.

The reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year is averaging 23 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1 block in the Illini’s last four games.  This also includes an absurd 33-point, 13-rebound, 2-block performance against Minnesota.

Kofi will need to continue this dominance versus the Hoosiers on Saturday, given that he will be competing against a very talented Trayce Jackson-Davis, who leads the Hoosiers in points and rebounds with 21.1 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game.  Jackson-Davis’ 21.1 points per game is tied for No. 24 in the nation.  The Hoosiers’ big man is also averaging two blocks per contest.

The last time the two big men faced-off, Kofi had the slight advantage over Jackson-Davis in the scoring category, scoring 15 points compared to Jackson-Davis’ 12 points in the Illini victory.

If Kofi is able to produce more than Jackson-Davis in Saturday’s matchup, the Hoosiers will need someone else to step up if they want a chance to knock off the Illini in Champaign.

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