Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Can anyone take Maryland off the No. 1 spot?
By Ryan Kay
3. Illinois 19-9 (11-6)
Best Non-Conference Win
*Defeated Hawaii by a score of 66-53
Key Big Ten Victories
*Swept Michigan by beating them at home by a score of 71-62.
*Won four key road games against Penn State, 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: 7 (Up 4 spots)
Ken Pom Ranking: 30
Net Ranking: 36
Illinois was like Michigan and Ohio State as all three teams had a period of time in Big Ten play when they lost a string of games. Also, like the Wolverines and Buckeyes, they have been able to bounce back and have played well as of late. The Fighting Illini have won three straight games after losing the previous four. Illinois looks to earn one of those four double byes in the Big Ten tournament as they have two of their last three regular-season games at home.
Trent Frazier, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Andres Feliz, and Alan Griffin all have played well for Illinois down the stretch. True freshman Kofi Cockburn, who is 2nd on the team in scoring has been a force on the offense and defensive ends. Ayo Dosunmu who is the leading scorer for the Fighting Illini has been the leader and biggest difference-maker for Illinois down the stretch.
There is no doubt that the Illinois roster is filled with a group of talented players 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 to end the month of February. They beat some quality teams, especially on the road as witnessed in their recent victory at Penn State.. As noted, they have been able to win multiple road games in the Big Ten and those wins didn’t involve Nebraska and or Northwestern.
In Big Ten country, much has been talked about of Cockburn and his impact on the Fighting Illini’s success this season. However, a more compiling and convincing argument can be made that Dosunmu is the most valuable player for Illinois this season. Not taking anything away from the great play of 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 so many ways and has made game-winning shots. He seems to find ways to always make a basket to lead Illinois a key victory.
To even take it a step further and 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 just steps up when his team needs him most. Dosunmu is almost guaranteed to receive 1st team All-Big Ten honors at the end of this season.
Give some deserved credit to head coach Brad Underwood who in his third season as the head of the program for the Fighting Illini has this team competing for one of the top 4 spots in the Big Ten standings. He has taken the program to another level heading into the final three games of Big Ten play.
Illinois will also have an opportunity to prove that they deserve to be in the top three of the Big Ten standings as they travel to play Ohio State and they host Iowa to end the regular season. The Fighting Illini next play Indiana at home on March 1st.