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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini against Indiana

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 2, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with Kofi Cockburn (21) after WednesdayÕs win over the Wisconsin Badgers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with Kofi Cockburn (21) after WednesdayÕs win over the Wisconsin Badgers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
Feb 2, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) attempts to block a shot by Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Will Illinois still be a pain to Trayce Jackson-Davis?

Indiana has some talent on the team this season. You have to be a good team if your record is 16-5 overall and 7-4 in the Big Ten.

One of the main players, and the biggest NBA prospect, is Trayce Jackson-Davis. This season, the big man is averaging 18.3 points and 8.5 rebounds on 60.1% shooting from the field. While they aren’t National Player of the Year numbers, those are still impressive stats to put up.

But, over the years, Jackson-Davis has struggled against the Illini. He has yet to beat the Orange and Blue, and his numbers haven’t been up to his standards in any contest.

In the three losses to Illinois in his collegiate career, Jackson-Davis is averaging 14 points and 11.3 rebounds but is shooting just 14-of-40 from the field, which is 35%. Those aren’t horrendous numbers, but they are not the All-American caliber numbers that he is used to, especially the shooting percentage.

So, a big question for me is will Illinois still be a pain to Jackson-Davis? I think it is obvious what the one obstacle for the Indiana big man is on the court. It is Kofi Cockburn. With Kofi in the paint, Jackson-Davis isn’t sure what to do on the offensive end of the court. This is going to be a fun matchup to watch on Saturday.

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