Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win against Michigan

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 27, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Omar Payne (4) and Iguard Jacob Grandison (3) box out Michigan Wolverines forward Moussa Diabate (14) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Omar Payne (4) and Iguard Jacob Grandison (3) box out Michigan Wolverines forward Moussa Diabate (14) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson dribbles against Illinois center Kofi Cockburn during the first half Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson dribbles against Illinois center Kofi Cockburn during the first half Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. /

2. Illinois is too much for Dickinson

In the previous slide, I talk about the dominance Kofi Cockburn has displayed against Michigan. The Wolverines cannot stop the Illinois big man. I can’t say the same for Wolverines’ big man, though.

I want to preface everything I am about to say with the fact that I feel bad for Dickinson. He has to go up against Kofi when playing Illinois. That is not an easy task considering Kofi is better than Dickinson in nearly every facet of the game.

Dickinson has now played two games against Illinois. The first game was a struggle for the big man. He finished with six points, five rebounds, and two steals while shooting 1-of-8 from the field. That was during his freshman season, though. I would expect Dickinson to have a greatly improved game the next time around.

Well, Dickinson missed the Illinois game back in January, so we didn’t get to see him in Champaign. He has mentioned in the past that Illinois fans are annoying, so it is probably good he missed that game.

Thankfully, we got to see Dickinson on Sunday. He had the homecourt advantage of fans not heckling him. That should have given him some comfort. But Dickinson didn’t perform well. In fact, his performance on Sunday was only slightly better than last season.

Dickinson would finish the game on Sunday with 13 points and 11 rebounds. He only shot 4-of-13 from the field, though. So, Dickinson is now a combined 5-of-21 from the field against Illinois during his career. I would also like to point out that Illinois now holds two of the top three worst shooting performances in Dickinson’s career as well.

I think it is pretty clear, Illinois is just too much for Dickinson. The kid has talent, but Illinois is his bugaboo.

Home/Illinois Basketball