Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Eastern Illinois

5. We are a fierce rebounding team

The days of Kofi Cockburn are done. He was in the house for the first game against Eastern Illinois, but it was just a subtle reminder that we don’t have his rebounding ability in the paint anymore.

But I actually believe that not having Kofi at center is going to help other players on the team shine. Without his presence, there has to be a team effort rebounding the basketball. I believe the Illini are prepared for this task.

Four different Illinois players had at least eight rebounds against Eastern Illinois. Coleman Hawkins led the way with 12 rebounds. Dain Dainja, the big man who has similar big man qualities as Kofi, came off the bench and gave the Illini another 10 rebounds.

Terrence Shannon Jr. and Ty Rodgers, both 6-foot-6 players, each had eight rebounds apiece. Scoring is fantastic and it is what will get you the most highlights, but teams who can’t rebound well lose games. Illinois doesn’t have to worry about that.

The Illini not only have big men who can pull down the rebounds but our wings and guards can hit the glass as well. Without Kofi, rebounding the basketball is going to be a team effort. The Illini know this fact and showed that they are going to be a good rebounding team in 2022-23.