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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Rutgers

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 3, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after making a dunk during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after making a dunk during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 02: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini passes the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Center on January 2, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 02: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini passes the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Center on January 2, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. One of Hawkins’ best games

Coleman Hawkins has shown sparks of greatness this season for the Illini, but on Friday night against Rutgers, he might have had his best game for the program thus far.

On the offensive end of the court, Hawkins was effective. He did what he was called upon to do. He would finish the game with nine points, three rebounds, three steals, two assists, and two blocks while going 4-of-8 from the field. This was a solid stat line that proved crucial for the Orange and Blue.

But there is one gigantic stat that isn’t showing up on Hawkins’ stat line. That is the tremendous defense he played against Rutgers’ best player, Ron Harper Jr.

Harper Jr. has been really good this season. He is averaging 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and is hitting 39.8% of his shots from the field. Those are pretty good numbers. On Friday night, Hawkins shut Harper Jr. down and held him to season lows.

In the 26 minutes of action, Harper Jr. finished with five points and four rebounds while going 1-of-9 from the field, which comes out to 11.1%. Yes, 11.1%, let that soak in for a moment.

This performance by Harper Jr. ended up being one of the worst games of his career. A lot of this bad showing had to do with Hawkins’ defense. He shut down Harper Jr. all night long. His length was tremendous on the defensive end of the court. Hawkins is a 6-foot-10 monster with the athletic ability to keep up with a lot of players on the court. He is such an asset to this program.

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