Illinois Basketball: 5 big questions for the Illini against Houston

2. Will Brad Underwood run a more balanced offense?

While I have an issue with the Illini not being able to hit three-point shots, it isn’t all on the players. Illinois’ players need to convert when we do take shots from deep, but the coaching staff isn’t exactly putting them in good positions.

The Illinois offense has been tremendously stagnant as of late. The coaching staff is relying too much on Kofi Cockburn to be the center on the Illini offense, and this makes the ball move less.

Against Chattanooga, the ball continuously was getting stuck at the top of the key because Illinois’ guards were looking for an entry pass to the post. Kofi is a great player, but when you keep doing the same thing over and over again, the results are probably not going to turn out the way you want them to.

So, a big question I have for the game on Sunday is can Brad Underwood run a more balanced offense?

I want the Illini to continue looking for Kofi in the paint. He is an All-American for a reason. The kid is a special player and will be looked at as one of the greatest to ever play for Illinois. But he needs help. That help can be in the form of running some plays for our three-point shooting guards.

Illinois has the ability to shoot the ball well, but too much focus on Kofi really hinders that ability. If we can become more balanced, it will open up the offense. It would free up Kofi because that second and third defender won’t crack down on him. This would be great for the Illini offense.