Coleman Hawkins
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

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

Illinois fans storm the court at the conclusion of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 20 Illinois beats No. 24 Iowa for share of Big Ten title

By Gavin Good Mar. 06, 2022 10:16 PM EST

Illinois' RJ Melendez (15) shoots as Northwestern's Ryan Greer defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 13 Illini survive scare against Northwestern, 73-66

By Gavin Good Feb. 13, 2022 04:40 PM 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

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) drives to the basket against Nebraska forward Derrick Walker (13) in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)
Frazier's 29 helps No. 25 Illinois hold off Nebraska 81-71

By Eric Olson Jan. 11, 2022 10:52 PM 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

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

Illinois' Da'Monte Williams (20) holds the ball away from Jackson State's Dyllan Taylor during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Grandison leads short-handed No. 11 Illinois past Jackson St

By Gavin Good Nov. 09, 2021 10:33 PM EST

Illinois' Kofi Cockburn addresses the media during the first day of the Big Ten NCAA college basketball media days, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Deep Illini build expectations around big man Kofi Cockburn

By Gavin Good Oct. 20, 2021 03:10 AM EDT