Kipper Nichols
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

Dosunmu scores 24 to led Illinois past Lindenwood 117-65

By Terry Towery Nov. 26, 2019 10:32 PM EST
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu scored 24 points, five others scored in double digits and Illinois rolled over Division-II Lindenwood 117-65 Tuesday. ...

File-This March 14, 2019, file photo shows Illinois head coach Brad Underwood talking to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Iowa in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, in Chicago. A young, maturing Illinois team is hoping for a breakthrough this season, the kind coach Underwood saw coming when he arrived in Champaign two years ago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Illinois welcomes higher expectations entering season

By Terry Towery Oct. 23, 2019 10:30 AM EDT

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell, left, and guard Geo Baker react during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Big Ten Conference tournament against Nebraska in Chicago, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Nebraska won 68-61. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Big Ten - First Round - Game 1 (win) at Maryland Terrapins 3/14/2019

Mar. 13, 2019 09:11 PM EDT

Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) looks to pass out a offensive rebound to Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) who is being guarded by Nebraska guard Glynn Watson Jr. (5) during an NCAA college basketball game in Champaign, Ill., Saturday. Feb. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Robin Scholz)
Illinois hands Nebraska its fifth straight loss 71-64

By Terry Towery Feb. 02, 2019 04:54 PM EST