NCAA Basketball: Bold predictions for 2019-20 Big Ten Basketball season

By Brian Rauf | Oct 31, 2019

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines brings the ball up court as Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini defends during the first half at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini gives instructions to his players during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1) Illinois will finish in the top four in the Big Ten

The Fighting Illini have struggled during the first two seasons of the Brad Underwood era, posting a combined 26-39 record that includes an 11-27 mark in Big Ten play.

That said, there are a number of reasons to believe this Illinois team could have a big breakout season.

A big reason for that is the return of versatile guard Ayo Dosunmu, who turned down the NBA to return for his sophomore season. His elite athleticism allows him to thrive in Illinois’ up-tempo, press defense attack, and it helped him find his stride in Big Ten play. 20 points in a win over Maryland and 24 in a victory over Michigan State show you what he’s capable of against the best competition in the Big Ten. If he can become more consistent as a sophomore, Illinois will have a star.

There’s also the matter of incoming freshman Kofi Cockburn, a top 50 prospect in the country. The 6-10 big man will give the Illini the post presence they’ve been lacking on both ends of the court and should be an immediately high-level secondary option.

In total, Illinois returns four starters along with most of their rotation players. That means a lot this year considering how many questions other teams in the conference are facing.

I’m expecting Purdue to struggle a little big more than expected without Carsen Edwards and, led by their defense (24th in forced turnover percentage last year), think that Illinois will jump them and finish No. 4 in the Big Ten.

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