Scoring balance propel Fighting Illini past Nebraska

Peyton Wesner – Producer and Men’s Basketball Reporter
February 25, 2020

Let the wins keep coming!

With five players scoring in double-figures, Illinois (18-9, 10-6) men’s basketball shucked Nebraska (7-20, 2-14), 71-59, and moved into a tie for second place in the conference.

While Big Ten Player of the Week Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 18 points, it was freshman Kofi Cockburn who led the charge with his eleventh double-double of the season — fourth-most among NCAA Division I freshman.

“We gave him the ball in better positions to be successful in the second half,” said Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood. “Kofi impacts us probably more defensively on the glass than he does on the offensive end.”

The guard trio of Trent Frazier, Alan Griffin and Andres Feliz netted a combined 35 points. Griffin is averaging 10 points per game since returning from suspension on February 2.

The Fighting Illini are now 4-0 this season when a quintet scores ten or more points. Head coach Brad Underwood says he will take the scoring balance anywhere and anytime.

“If I could do that every night, I’d do that every night,” said Underwood. “I like that balance.”

Illinois’ dominance on the glass continued, out-rebounding the Cornhuskers, 48-35. Cockburn says a two-on-two rebounding drill has developed the team’s tenacity.

“We basically have two guys up top, two guys down low and we throw the ball off the backboard and we gotta go get it,” described Cockburn. “We can foul each other and do whatever we want.”

Next, the Fighting Illini will take on a pair of rivals. First up, a meeting with Northwestern (6-20, 1-15) in Evanston, Ill., on Thursday.