Andre Curbelo
Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens, center, twirls a basketball on his finger as he watches Chattanooga warm up before a college basketball game against Illinois in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Plummer's late free throws lift Illini by Chattanooga 54-53

By Will Graves Mar. 18, 2022 09:31 PM EDT

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood watches his team as they practice for the first round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Illinois is to take on Chattanooga on Friday. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Big and bright, Illini's Cockburn eyes deep NCAA tourney run

By Tom Withers Mar. 17, 2022 07:25 PM EDT

Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) drives on Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 11, 2022. Indiana defeated Illinois 65-63. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jackson-Davis leads Indiana past No. 16 Illinois 65-63

By Michael Marot Mar. 11, 2022 02:22 PM EST

Colorado's Tristan da Silva (23) dunks against Oregon's Eric Williams Jr. (50) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 tournament Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Big Ten - Second Round - Game 3 (win) at Wisconsin Badgers 3/11/2022

Mar. 10, 2022 07:56 PM EST

Illinois' Andre Curbelo passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Penn State Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Williams helps No. 20 Illinois to 60-55 win over Penn State

By Gavin Good Mar. 03, 2022 09:35 PM EST

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood shouts to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Illinois defeated Michigan 93-85. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Cockburn, Plummer help No. 15 Illinois beat Michigan 93-85

By Larry Lage Feb. 27, 2022 04:45 PM EST

Purdue guard Jaden Ivey (23) shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
No. 3 Purdue beats No. 13 Illini for share of Big Ten lead

By Michael Marot Feb. 08, 2022 11:23 PM EST

Illinois guard RJ Melendez (15) goes up to shoot against Northwestern guards Chase Audige, second from left, and Boo Buie, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Cockburn returns, leads No. 24 Illini past Northwestern

By Gavin Good Jan. 29, 2022 07:10 PM EST

Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell, front right, looks around Minnesota forward Danny Ogele, left, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Big Ten This Week: Boilermakers' big men will test Ohio St

By Eric Olson Jan. 28, 2022 02:08 AM EST

Illinois' Trent Frazier sets up a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 24 Illinois holds off No. 10 Michigan State, 56-55

Jan. 25, 2022 09:37 PM EST

Maryland forward Donta Scott (24) and forward Julian Reese react after Scott scored a basket against Illinois during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in College Park, Md. Maryland won 81-65. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
With Cockburn out, No. 17 Illinois falls 81-65 to Maryland

By Noah Trister Jan. 21, 2022 09:09 PM EST

Illinois Fighting guard Da'Monte Williams, right, drives to the basket against Maryland forward Simon Wright during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Illinois Fighting Illini at Maryland Terrapins 1/21/2022

Jan. 21, 2022 08:02 PM EST

Purdue's Zach Edey (15) and Illinois' Kofi Cockburn vie for position under the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Stefanovic, No. 4 Purdue top No. 17 Illinois in double OT

By Gavin Good Jan. 17, 2022 03:29 PM EST

Michigan coach Juwan Howard signals during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Cockburn, Frazier lead No. 25 Illinois over Michigan 68-53

By Gavin Good Jan. 15, 2022 01:08 AM EST

Illinois' Da'Monte Williams (20) passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Rio Grande Valley Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Illinois Fighting Illini 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 10:42 PM EST

Illinois' Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Rio Grande Valley Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Cockburn's career night lifts No. 14 Illinois to 94-85 win

By Gavin Good Nov. 26, 2021 10:30 PM EST

Kansas State's Davion Bradford, right, looks to shoot under pressure from Illinois' Jacob Grandison (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
No. 14 Illini hold off K-State 72-64 in Hall of Fame Classic

By Dave Skretta Nov. 23, 2021 09:17 PM EST

Illinois' Trent Frazier, top, jumps over Cincinnati's Mike Saunders as they chased after a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Cincy escapes early 15-point hole, routs No. 14 Illini 71-51

By Dave Skretta Nov. 22, 2021 08:44 PM EST

Marquette's Kameron Jones loses control of the ball as he falls while being defended by Illinois' Alfonso Plummer (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Late steal gives Marquette a 67-66 win over No. 10 Illinois

By Steve Megargee Nov. 15, 2021 09:41 PM EST

Illinois' Omar Payne dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas State Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 11 Illinois easily tops Arkansas State 92-53

By Gavin Good Nov. 12, 2021 11:25 PM EST