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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini vs Michigan

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks on Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks on Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – JANUARY 21: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles by Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the XFinity Center on January 21, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – JANUARY 21: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles by Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the XFinity Center on January 21, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

3. Is Coleman Hawkins going to continue getting big minutes?

Illinois has a bench that I believe could be a solid Big Ten starting lineup. If you took the Illini bench and made them a separate team, they could finish middle of the pack in the Big Ten. That is how good I think the Illinois bench truly is.

One of the emerging players from the Illinois bench has been Coleman Hawkins. He has been huge for the program and was one of the main reasons we even had a shot to knock off Ohio State in the last game.

The Illini were down double-digits in the final few minutes of the game against the Buckeyes this past week. Hawkins stepped into the Kofi Cockburn role, as the big man was out due to foul trouble.

Hawkins went out there and gave Illinois 26 sensational minutes. He finished with 10 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists while going 3-of-5 from the field. The hustle Hawkins showed was inspirational. He was truly the heart and soul of the Illini against Ohio State.

That was actually the most Hawkins had been used in quite some time. The last time he received at least 20 minutes of action was against Michigan back in January.

A big question I have is will Hawkins continue getting big minutes for the Illini? I think he has earned his minutes considering what he did against the Buckeyes. But if the past tells me anything, Brad Underwood will have a short leash on Hawkins, and if he makes a small mistake early, he will be pulled from the game.

I want to see what type of playing time Hawkins will receive on Sunday. He could be an important piece to the Illini knocking off Michigan.

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