Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Nebraska

3. Illinois needed to feel the Payne

Kofi Cockburn has set such a high standard at the center position for the Illinois basketball program. If he doesn’t have 22 points and 12 rebounds, he had a below-average night. That is crazy to think about.

Against Nebraska, Kofi finished with an okay game. He managed to finish the victory with 16 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block. He shot 8-of-18 from the field and missed all five free throw attempts.

I would say Kofi took a step backward on his improved free throw shooting. He had some foul issues as well with four fouls on the night. Nebraska was able to throw Kofi off at times too.

That is why we need a solid backup at the No. 5 spot. On Tuesday night, we needed Omar Payne. Thankfully, he delivered.

Payne played 10 huge minutes for the Orange and Blue. He would finish the game with eight points, five rebounds, and four blocks. He was 2-of-3 from the field and converted all four of his free throws.

Illinois needed all hands on deck against the Cornhuskers. If it wasn’t for Payne’s great play, this could easily have been a loss for the Illini. But the transfer big man came through in a big way.

As a member of the Illinois basketball program, this was Payne’s best game. His eight points were the most he has had while in Champaign. His five rebounds were the second-most with the Illini. And Payne’s four blocks weren’t just the most as a member of the Orange and Blue, but those four blocks were the second-most of his career.

Illinois basketball finally had a chance to feel the Payne on Tuesday night. And let me tell you, it felt so good.