Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Penn State and Maryland leads the pack

By Ryan Kay

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Darryl Morsell #11 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts late in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on February 15, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Darryl Morsell #11 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts late in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on February 15, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 11: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 11: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

7. Illinois 16-9 (8-6)

Best Non-Conference Win

*Defeated Hawaii by a score of 66-53

Key Big Ten Victories

*Swept Michigan by beating them twice.

*Won three key road games against Purdue, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

*Defeated Purdue twice this season.

*Beat Rutgers by a score of 54 to 51.

Disappointing Losses in Big Ten play

*Got swept by Michigan State and lost one of those games by 20 points.

*Lost at Rutgers by a score of 72-57.

Last Week’s Big Ten Power Ranking:  1 (down 6 spots)

KenPom Ranking: 32

Net Ranking: 38

Trent Frazier, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Andres Feliz, and Alan Griffin all have been contributors in Illinois overall success thus far this season. However, arguably the biggest difference-maker for Illinois in Big Ten play has been true freshman Kofi Cockburn, who is 2nd on the team in scoring as well as Ayo Dosunmu who is the leading scorer for the Fighting Illini.

There is little doubt that Illinois is filled with group talented players this season and even though their non-conference record didn’t show their potential early on in November and December, they have shown amazing progress and have played very well in stretches in conference play and beat some quality teams, especially on the road. As noted, they have been able to win multiple road games in the Big Ten and those wins don’t involve Nebraska or Northwestern.

Nationally, much has been talked about of Cockburn and his impact on the Fighting Illini’s success this season. However, a compiling argument can be made that Dosunmu is the most valuable player for Illinois this season. Not taking anything away from Cockburn who was a top-50 recruit before coming to Illinois, as he has really bolstered the front line for the Fighting Illini this season, but Dosunmu has contributed in a magnitude of ways. He seems and finds ways to always make a basket to give Illinois a key victory.

To make the argument more clear and precise, an example of Dosunmu’s important to the Fighting Illini was witnessed when on the road against Michigan, Dosunmu made a jumper with under one second left in the game to give the Fighting Illini the victory. Another example was when he made four straight free throws against Rutgers with under two minutes left to a three-point victory over the Scarlet Knights. He did seem to hurt himself at the end of the game against Michigan State but it appears that he will be able to play soon for Illinois. Dosunmu is almost certain to receive 1st team All-Big Ten honors at the end of the season.

Even though Illinois has lost four straight games, give some deserved credit to head coach Brad Underwood who in his third season as the head of the program for the Fighting Illini. He has taken the program to another level heading into the final portion of Big Ten play.

Illinois will also have an opportunity to prove that they deserve to be in the top-tier of the Big Ten standings as they travel to play Penn State on Feb.18th. They look to bounce back and end their four-game losing streak in hopes of upsetting the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley.

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