Illinois Basketball: Evaluating scenarios for Illini heading into 2020-21 season
By Tim Edmonds
Both players return to Illinois Basketball for 2020-21
Illini finish 30-8, 16-4 in conference play, win Big 10 Title and reach the Elite Eight
The dream scenario and a dream season ensue for the Fighting Illini. Propelled by their returning stars, Underwood’s team emerges and dominates the stout Big Ten from wire-to-wire, capturing their first regular-season title since 2005 with a 16-4 conference record and a flawless 16-0 record at State Farm Arena over the course of the season.
Dosunmu leads the way and re-captures Big Ten First Team honors, solidifying himself as Illinois’ best player since Dee Brown as he picks up second in the National Player of the Year voting and averages just shy of 20 points a game.
Similarly, Cockburn establishes himself as a top-five center in the country, averaging a double-double and anchoring the Illini defensively as he just misses out on Big Ten first-team honors to the 2020-21 Player of the Year – Iowa Center Luke Garza.
After a strong non-conference showing, the Illini capture the Big Ten regular-season championship and defeat the Hawkeyes in Chicago to also clinch the tournament —and with it — a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament and a match-up with #16 seeded Fairleigh Dickinson University in the round of 64.
Breezing past the Knights in the tournament’s first round, they then draw #8 UConn in the round of 32. The Huskies, led by sophomore sensation James Bouknight keep it close for over 35 minutes. However, with just over four minutes remaining Dosunmu heats up and Frazier makes a pair of corner threes as the Illini head for their first Sweet 16 since 2005 with a 71-62 win.
Taking on #5 seeded North Carolina in the Sweet 16, the Tar Heels and Illini produce an instant classic in Minneapolis. Going back and forth for 40 minutes, a questionable foul call leads to a pair of late free throws from standout freshman Caleb Love, who makes no mistake and sends the game to overtime at 71-71.
In overtime though, Dosunmu proceeds to take the game over, scoring 12 of the Illini’s 13 points and besting UNC 87-82 to reach the Elite Eight.
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After 30 victories and a Big Ten title, Illinois’ dream season finally comes to an end in the Elite Eight at the hands of #3 seeded Creighton. Falling despite 32 points and five threes from Dosunmu, Illinois has no answer for the Blue Jays as their guards Ty-Shon Alexander and Marcus Zegarowski combine for 54 points in the win and head to the Final Four with an 86-81 win, ending the Illini’s best season since 2005.