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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Northwestern

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 29, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate a basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate a basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) is defended by Northwestern Wildcats forward Robbie Began (31) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) is defended by Northwestern Wildcats forward Robbie Began (31) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Welcome back Kofi

Illinois basketball fans got a taste of what life would be without Kofi Cockburn the past couple of games. I’m going to be honest; I didn’t like it.

Yes, Kofi missed the first three games of the season, and we got to dabble in what life would be like without him against Marquette but experiencing the post-Kofi Illini in the Big Ten is more terrifying.

Illinois went to Maryland and got trounced by the Terrapins in the first game Kofi missed due to his concussion. The Illini would then bounce back against No. 10 Michigan State a few days later with a one-point win over the Spartans.

On Saturday, Illinois would have fallen to Northwestern if Kofi was not on the floor. He would finish the game with 22 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one block while hitting 10-of-17 from the floor. Kofi would lead the Illini in both points and rebounds.

It is so nice to have Kofi back on the floor. Without him, Illinois loses an element of their team. He draws so much focus for the opposing team on both ends of the floor. That helps everyone else because he brings the attention off of them.

I think I speak for all of Illini Nation when I say, welcome back Kofi. We missed you, big man. Now let’s win the Big Ten regular season title.

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