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Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Michigan Wolverines

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 23, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) takes the ball to the basket as Wisconsin Badgers forward Micah Potter (11) defends during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

The biggest game of the season is merely hours away as the Illinois basketball team is set to take on the Michigan Wolverines.

A matchup of the No. 2 Wolverines against the No. 4 Illini is one that will be talked about for years to come. This should be an exciting game. If Illinois wants to come out with a victory, they are going to have to do a few things, though

Here are four keys for the Illini to beat the Michigan Wolverines.

1. Kofi wins the Dickinson matchup

There are some solid big men in the Big Ten, but the matchup between Illinois and Michigan will feature two of the best centers in the nation.

Kofi Cockburn has averaged 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game this season, which was expected from the future NBA talent. But he is now going up against one of the most talented centers I have seen come through the Big Ten in years.

Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson is just a freshman for the Wolverines. He shouldn’t be leading his team to the No. 2 ranking and a spot as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. But that is exactly what is happening. Dickinson is averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, which are all team highs.

These two giants are going up against each other on Tuesday night. I believe this battle needs to be won by Kofi. More importantly, Kofi needs to stay on the floor. Illinois can’t have him in foul trouble, even though he has been pretty good in the foul department this season. The Illini just doesn’t have the firepower behind Kofi to keep up with Dickinson.

Keep an eye out for the Kofi versus Dickinson matchup on Tuesday night. The winner of this battle will likely determine the winner of the game.

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