Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Michigan, Ohio State climb to the top

By Adam Childs

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 04: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with fans after their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on December 04, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ohio State won 74-49. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 04: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with fans after their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on December 04, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ohio State won 74-49. (Photo by Grant Halverson/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)
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) /

Illinois was a popular pick by many to make a jump in the Big Ten and they still might but right now they look kind of like they did last year. A good team that can’t get over the hump. Their three losses have come against a good Arizona and Maryland team and a below-average Miami team.

The game against the Hurricanes ended up being a two-point loss but they were down by 25 in the first half and looked awful and lifeless. Give them credit for fighting back but they should have never been in that position.

While that loss hurt, it was nothing compared to their Big Ten opener against Maryland. They had the Terrapins down by 15 points and even led late in the game before Anthony Cowan Jr took over. It was a crushing loss for the Illini and one that looked all too familiar with last year.

Freshman Kofi Cockburn has been outstanding for Illinois as he is averaging 15.4 points per game while first-team all-Big Ten Ayo Dosunmu is also averaging 15 a game. They have joined to be one of the best one-two combos in the conference this year and will give them the opportunity to win a lot of games this year.

The Illini knows how to score also, but if a team can shut those two guys down it really bogs down their offense.

Illinois still has plenty of time to get big wins, but they need to figure out ways to close out games. If they can do that they could jump into the top of the Big Ten.

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