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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Morehead State

By Rees Woodcock

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 02: Head coach Shauna Green of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half of the game in the second round of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament at Target Center on March 2, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 02: Head coach Shauna Green of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half of the game in the second round of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament at Target Center on March 2, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 03: Makira Cook #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket while Bri McDaniel #24 of the Maryland Terrapins defends in the second half of the game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament at Target Center on March 3, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Terrapins defeated the Fighting Illini 73-58. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

4. Makira Cook was missed dearly for the Illini

I can go on and on about how incredible Genese Bryant was for Illinois on Tuesday night. She was the main reason we came out with a 20-point victory. But it doesn’t go unnoticed the impact Makira Cook being off the floor had on the Illini.

Cook is a senior guard for the Illinois basketball program who led the team with 18.3 points and 4.2 assists per game last season. She also averaged 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, which ranked No. 4 and No. 2 on the team, respectively.

Some people see the Illinois box score from Tuesday night and think that we just beat Morehead State by 20 points and it should have been more. Well, we didn’t have one of our best players for the game. So, yes, we are going to struggle at times.

Cook’s injury, which happened in the Truman State exhibition game, has her day-to-day right now. She couldn’t suit up against Morehead State, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as Illinois gears up for a tough matchup against Marquette this weekend. The Golden Eagles made the NCAA tournament in 2022-23.

Hopefully, Illinois gets Cook back for this weekend’s tilt. With her on the court, Bryant doesn’t have to shoulder the load on offense. Illinois’ offense will also run much more smoothly, as there were some bumps in the road against Morehead State. Cook was missed dearly on Tuesday night. Her absence was noticed.

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