Trent Frazier
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) drives on Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Tuesday, March 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Intense No. 4 Illinois makes statement, drubs No. 2 Michigan

By Noah Trister Mar. 02, 2021 09:19 PM EST

Illinois's Andre Curbelo drives past Wisconsin's D'Mitrik Trice during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Illini win 74-69 as Wisconsin's Trice-led rally falls short

By Steve Megargee Feb. 27, 2021 05:01 PM EST

Illinois guard Andre Curbelo (5) passes to forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan St tops No. 5 Illinois 81-72, bolsters NCAA chances

By Larry Lage Feb. 23, 2021 10:53 PM EST

Illinois' Kofi Cockburn (21) shoots over Minnesota's Liam Robbins (0) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
No. 5 Illinois dominates Minnesota 94-63 for 7th win in row

By Dave Campbell Feb. 20, 2021 06:01 PM EST

Illinois guard Andre Curbelo (5) center Kofi Cockburn (21) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) bring the ball down court against Northwestern in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Cockburn, Dosunmu lead No. 5 Illini past Northwestern 73-66

Feb. 17, 2021 12:22 AM EST

Nebraska guard Teddy Allen (0) knocks over Illinois' Trent Frazier (1) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in Lincoln, Neb. (Francis Gardler/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
Dosunmu gets hot late, No. 6 Illinois tops Nebraska in OT

Feb. 13, 2021 12:07 AM EST

Penn State guard Sam Sessoms (3) steals the ball and is pursued by Illinois guard Jacob Grandison (3) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Cockburn leads No. 22 Illinois to 79-65 win over Penn State

By Terry Towery Jan. 20, 2021 12:07 AM EST

Ohio State Head Coach Chris Holtmann looks on from the sideline in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Liddell, No. 21 Ohio St power past No. 14 Illinois 87-81

By Terry Towery Jan. 16, 2021 04:05 PM EST

Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) looks to pass as he is pressured by Maryland center Chol Marial (15) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Morsell scores 19 as Maryland upsets No. 12 Illinois 66-63

Jan. 10, 2021 10:35 PM EST

Northwestern forward Pete Nance, right, reaches for a rebound above Illinois center Kofi Cockburn during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Cockburn leads No. 12 Illinois past Northwestern 81-56

By Jay Cohen Jan. 07, 2021 11:26 PM EST

Illinois guard Adam Miller (44) passes the ball as Purdue's guard Brandon Newman (5) and forward Mason Gillis (0) defend in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Cockburn and Dosunmu lead No. 15 Illinois past Purdue 66-58

By Terry Towery Jan. 02, 2021 08:38 PM EST

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell shout instructions during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
No. 19 Rutgers beats No. 13 Illinois to remain unbeaten

By Matt Sugam Dec. 20, 2020 03:36 PM EST

Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) puts up a shot as Minnesota's forward Isaiah Ihnen (35) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Cockburn scores 33 as No. 13 Illinois routs Minnesota 92-65

By Terry Towery Dec. 15, 2020 09:47 PM EST

Illinois's Andre Curbelo, right, dribbles around Missouri's Xavier Pinson, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri holds off late charge, beats No. 6 Illinois 81-78

By Briar Napier Dec. 12, 2020 10:52 PM EST

Ohio forward Ben Vander Plas (5) shoots as Illinois guard Da'Monte Williams (20) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Dosunmu scores 24 as No. 8 Illinois holds off Ohio 77-75

Nov. 27, 2020 03:49 PM EST

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) shoots against Chicago State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Champaign, Ill., Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP)
Dosunmu, Curbelo lead No. 8 Illinois past Chicago State

Nov. 26, 2020 02:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2020, file photo, Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu's (11) scores against Penn State in the final minute of an NCAA college basketball game in State College, Pa Watching the shot are Illinois' Kofi Cockburn (21) and Penn State's Seth Lundy (1). The return of stars Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn has brought a sense of optimism and high expectations to an Illinois program that saw a magical season abruptly halted by the pandemic in March. (AP Photo/Gary M. Baranec, File)
No. 8 Illini return with high expectations behind star duo

By Terry Towery Nov. 10, 2020 05:49 PM EST

Iowa's Luca Garza (55) blocks the shot of Illinois' Kofi Cockburn (21) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Dosunmu, No. 23 Illinois hold off No. 18 Iowa 78-76

By Terry Towery Mar. 08, 2020 09:40 PM EDT

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn, center, reacts as he dunks against Northwestern guard Pat Spencer, left, and forward Robbie Beran during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Griffin scores career-high 24 as Illini beat Northwestern

By Andrew Seligman Feb. 27, 2020 10:16 PM EST

Illinois' Andres Feliz (10) powers past Nebraska's Charlie Easley (30) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Illinois downs Nebraska 71-59 behind Dosunmu

Feb. 24, 2020 10:34 PM EST