Andre Curbelo
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

BYU guard Spencer Johnson (20) looks to shoot the ball in front of UCLA forward Mac Etienne, right, during the first half of a first-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
East Regional - First Round - Game 5 (win) at East Regional - First Round - Game 6 (win) 3/22/2021

Mar. 20, 2021 10:14 PM EDT

Boise State guard Derrick Alston Jr. shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against SMU in the first round of the NIT, Thursday, March 18, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Clemson Tigers 3/20/2021

Mar. 18, 2021 09:16 PM EDT

Illinois guard Da'Monte Williams, right rear, celebrates as Giorgi Bezhanishvili follows through on a dunk over Rutgers' Ron Harper Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference men's tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 3 Illinois gets past No. 5 Iowa, into Big Ten title game

By Michael Marot Mar. 13, 2021 11:07 PM EST

Illinois guard Adam Miller, bottom, passes against Ohio State forward Justice Sueing during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Dosunmu's return powers No. 4 Illinois over No. 7 Ohio State

By Mitch Stacy Mar. 06, 2021 06:30 PM EST

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

Michigan forward Isaiah Livers reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Next Big Ten Showdown: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 4 Illinois

By Noah Trister Mar. 01, 2021 05:27 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 Trent Frazier receives his framed jersey before his last home NCAA college basketball game, against Nebraska on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Cockburn scores 24 as No. 5 Illinois tops Nebraska 86-70

By Terry Towery Feb. 25, 2021 09:45 PM 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

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

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) shoots as Indiana's forward Race Thompson (25) and guard Trey Galloway (32) defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Dosunmu scores 30 to lead No. 18 Illinois past Indiana 69-60

By Terry Towery Dec. 26, 2020 06:28 PM EST

Penn State's Sam Sessoms, left, goes after a loose ball with Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu during first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Gary M. Baranec)
Dosunmu, Cockburn lead No. 18 Illinois past Penn State 98-81

By Travis Johnson Dec. 23, 2020 08:58 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

Illinois' Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) shoots next to Baylor's Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 2 Baylor uses stout defense to get past No. 5 Illinois

By Michael Marot Dec. 03, 2020 12:28 AM EST

Virginia's Jay Huff dunks as Towson's Charles Thompson defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Memphis Tigers 11/26/2020

Nov. 25, 2020 02:28 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