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Illinois Basketball: 3 things to watch for in the Illini game against Indiana

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu (1) controls the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Sencire Harris (1) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu (1) controls the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Sencire Harris (1) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Derrick Walker (13) backs in against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Derrick Walker (13) backs in against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Will Dain Dainja give Kofi Cockburn flashbacks

For three fun seasons, the Illinois basketball team was blessed with the presence of big man, Kofi Cockburn. He was so fun to watch if you were an Illini fan.

Kofi’s ability to shut down opponents in the paint was impressive. I think it is fair to say that Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis was one of the players who struggled against the former Illinois center.

Jackson-Davis has career averages of 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 56.3% from the field. He has played five games against Illinois during his career – all with Kofi on the floor I believe – and his averages mostly drop in each category. He averages 13.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.2 assists while shooting just 41.9% from the field against the Illini.

Kofi has now departed the program, and Jackson-Davis must feel relieved. But not so fast my friend. Illinois has another monster to throw at him. In steps Dain Dainja.

Dainja is a slightly shorter more athletic version of Kofi. He moves better than Kofi and has better touch around the rim.

Against Indiana, I am going to be watching to see if Dainja gives Jackson-Davis some flashbacks of when he played against Kofi. Honestly, I think there is a chance he shuts Jackson-Davis down even more than Kofi did when he was in Champaign.

Illinois is going to be able to throw more than Dainja at Jackson-Davis as well. Matthew Mayer’s defense has been insane. Coleman Hawkins is a nice big piece we have as well. All three players I have mentioned for the Illini stand at 6-foot-9 or taller. I am excited to watch how Illinois handles Jackson-Davis.

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