Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing each program’s 2019 recruiting class

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Coach Underwood of Illinois. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Coach Underwood of Illinois. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

481. . . . Illinois Fighting Illini. . player

Illinois is seemingly entering a new era of success. Even though the Fighting Illini have missed the NCAA Tournament in each of the last five seasons, the program is expected to experience a major resurgence this year. That is largely due to the rising sophomore class of the program but head coach Brad Underwood’s 2019 recruiting class, which was ranked at No. 69 in the country, could also play a role. This class features four commits.

Kofi Cockburn is definitely the most notable of these. The 6-foot-10, 290-pound big man is extremely highly-regarded by recruiting services as he was ranked as the No. 46 overall player in this class. He is remarkably physically imposing inside with the ability to simply control the paint. Cockburn is not necessarily known as shot-blocker but alters shots effectively around the rim and is a capable finisher on the other end. Due to his size, Cockburn is also a tremendous rebounder.

Additionally, Coach Underwood was able to add other frontcourt prospects in Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk and Jermaine Hamlin (both unranked). Neither of them, though, is expected to see any playing time this season. It is also very difficult to project potential roles for them as their future minutes will depend on their development under Illinois’ coaching staff.

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