Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

3 of 4

Mar 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) shoots against Drexel during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Win the Kofi vs Krutwig matchup

Honestly, there is not much I like more than watching two big men go at it in the paint. On Sunday, we will get the privilege to watch two talented No. 5’s go at it in Kofi Cockburn and Cameron Krutwig.

Krutwig is a really talented big man for Loyola-Chicago. He is a little smaller than Kofi, standing at 6-foot-9 and 255-pounds, but he has the talent that can compete with the Illinois big.

For the season, Krutwig is averaging 14.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He also has 1.2 blocks per game, which is a solid number. Looking at some of his early-season games against bigger programs, Krutwig did put up 19 points and 5 rebounds against Wisconsin. So, he can bang around with the big boys.

But, let’s be honest, Krutwig hasn’t experienced anything like Kofi. He stands at 7-foot, 285-pounds, so there is a solid size differential. If Illinois wants to win the game on Sunday, they are going to need to expose this differential at all times.

Kofi should be able to dominate this game. Letting him eat will help control the game as well. The biggest player the Ramblers are going to throw at Kofi is Krutwig, which means we have the massive size advantage. But it also means Kofi needs to be smart on the defensive end of the court. He has to stay out of foul trouble.

As long as Kofi does his usual thing, Illinois will be okay. He put up 18 points and 5 rebounds against Drexel just days ago. That is what I want to see out of him against Loyola-Chicago. Dominate big man, dominate.

Home/Illinois Basketball