Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini against St. Francis (PA)

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 3, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) drives the ball during the first 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 guard Da'Monte Williams (20) drives the ball during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Illinois basketball
Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) is introduced before a NCAA Big Ten Conference men’s basketball game against Iowa, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.211206 Ill Iowa Mbb 031 Jpg /

3. Is anyone going to be able to stop Kofi?

Kofi Cockburn is and has been one of the most dominant players in college basketball for the past two seasons. That fact hasn’t changed this year either.

The big man is averaging 21.4 points and 12 rebounds per game, and he leads the Illini in both categories. He has had a double-double in all but two games this season, and he only fell short by a combined five rebounds in those two contests.

Every team Illinois has played this season has struggled to stop Kofi, so does St. Francis (PA) have any shot to stop the All-American center?

I believe the Red Flash will end up throwing Josh Cohen at Kofi on Saturday. Cohen is the best big man they have, and he is only 6-foot-10, 220-pounds. Cohen is averaging 14.3 points and 5.9 rebounds this season as well.

The next big man option would be 6-foot-9, Mark Flagg. He is a senior on the team but is only getting 16.4 minutes per game.

I think the obvious answer is going to end up being, no. Kofi hasn’t been stopped by the other nine teams we have played this season, so what makes anyone think an undersized St. Francis (PA) team has any shot? But maybe this is the trip-up game that no one saw coming. I will keep an eye out to see if they have any answers for Kofi.

Home/Illinois Basketball