No. 8 Illini return with high expectations behind star duo
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)

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)

Nov. 10, 2020 06:12 PM EST
FILE - 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., in this Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

FILE - 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., in this Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Nov. 10, 2020 12:29 PM EST
FILE - Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu, center, drives to the basket past Northwestern forwards Miller Kopp, left, and Pete Nance during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., in this Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, file photo. Dosunmu was Illinois’ leading scorer last season and went over 20 points in eight games.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

FILE - Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu, center, drives to the basket past Northwestern forwards Miller Kopp, left, and Pete Nance during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., in this Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, file photo. Dosunmu was Illinois’ leading scorer last season and went over 20 points in eight games.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Nov. 10, 2020 12:28 PM EST
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, Illinois coach Brad Underwood watches from the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Excluding a scheduled Dec. 8 game at No. 9 Duke, the Illini have not announced details of when or who they will play once the season officially starts Nov. 25. “Welcome to COVID 2020,” Underwood said. “There are so many unknowns right now. I have all these plans on my desk to deal with whatever might come up. But what is known is our roster. I’m very excited.” (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, Illinois coach Brad Underwood watches from the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Excluding a scheduled Dec. 8 game at No. 9 Duke, the Illini have not announced details of when or who they will play once the season officially starts Nov. 25. “Welcome to COVID 2020,” Underwood said. “There are so many unknowns right now. I have all these plans on my desk to deal with whatever might come up. But what is known is our roster. I’m very excited.” (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Nov. 10, 2020 06:12 PM EST
FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2019, file photo, Illinois' Kofi Cockburn, center, heads to the basket past Missouri's Jeremiah Tilmon and Kobe Brown during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in St. Louis. The return of stars Ayo Dosunmu and 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/Jeff Roberson, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2019, file photo, Illinois' Kofi Cockburn, center, heads to the basket past Missouri's Jeremiah Tilmon and Kobe Brown during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in St. Louis. The return of stars Ayo Dosunmu and 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/Jeff Roberson, File)

Nov. 10, 2020 06:12 PM EST