Top 5 teams Coleman Hawkins dominated during his Illinois basketball career

3. Nebraska Cornhuskers: 7-0 overall (100% winning rate)

It is incredible what Illinois basketball has done to some teams with Coleman Hawkins on the roster. I know Nebraska is more of a football school, but the Illini were able to destroy the Cornhuskers during Hawkins’ time in Champaign.

Taking the No. 3 spot on the list is Nebraska. Illinois played seven games against the Cornhuskers since the 2020-21 season, and we are 7-0 in those games. Nebraska was able to keep a couple of the games close, as the Illini won two contests in overtime, but beating any Big Ten team seven games in a row is impressive. The streak is actually nine games overall, but we are 7-0 with Hawkins on the roster.

Compared to most of the teams on this list, Nebraska has kept the scoring differential not completely out of control. Illinois has won the seven games in a row by an average of 12.4 points per game. Again, this is with two overtime games.

Out of the seven games Illinois has won in a row with Hawkins on the roster, he has started in four of those contests. The numbers are pretty solid too. Hawkins averaged 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. His shooting numbers are the only thing that is keeping Nebraska from being in the top two on this list, though. Hawkins shot 45.9% from the field and 27.3% from three-point range in the four starts.

Regardless, the dominance Illinois displayed against Nebraska with Hawkins on the roster has been amazing. 7-0 in the last seven is an incredible run.