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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Minnesota

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the free throw line in the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the free throw line in the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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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 /

Illinois basketball was back in action on Tuesday night, and they torched the 10-1 Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Illini looked great from the jump. Kofi Cockburn was the centerpiece for the Orange and Blue and played well despite being off for nearly two weeks. After an 11-point lead in the first half increased early in the second half, Minnesota didn’t have much fight and fell to the Illini, 76-53.

Here are four observations from the Illinois basketball win over Minnesota.

1. Kofi has to be the frontrunner for Player of the Year

Coming into the season, it felt like there was a large group of people who thought Kofi Cockburn was a good player but nothing special. After seeing what Loyola-Chicago did to the Illini in the NCAA tournament, this put a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths when it comes to Kofi.

But Kofi came back for one more season with the Orange and Blue. Despite missing the first three games of the season, he has shut all of the doubters up quickly with his tremendous play on the court.

On Tuesday night against Minnesota, Kofi was once again great. He ended the night with 29 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and two steals while hitting 10-of-19 from the field. The big man was also 9-of-11 from the free throw line.

We are experiencing a different Kofi than what we saw on the court last season. I have been over this a few times, but Kofi is a well-rounded player this season. He has better touch around the basket. He is looking to make the right play instead of lowering his shoulder. Kofi’s improvement at the charity stripe is not going unnoticed either.

Kofi has made the improvements to make himself a better player for the Illini and for the NBA. If he can pick up the game this quickly and be able to adapt as he has in just one offseason, just imagine what he can do with an NBA coaching staff and their development programs.

Illinois is now 10-3 on the season and atop the Big Ten. Kofi has the Illini playing some great basketball. After Tuesday night, the big man is now No. 2 in the nation in scoring averaging 22.5 points per game. He is also No. 3 in the nation in rebounding averaging 11.9 rebounds per game. There is no doubt in my mind that Kofi is the frontrunner for college basketball’s Player of the Year award.

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