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Illinois Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Fighting Illini

By Anthony Brown

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 27: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dunks the basketball in the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 27, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 27: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dunks the basketball in the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 27, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Illinois Basketball
Illinois Basketball Ayo Dosunmu Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Fighting Illini’s two stars are back to make a push for B1G Supremacy

Da’Monte Williams, Senior, Point Guard

Williams will be following in the footsteps of Andres Feliz who was one of the Fighting Illini’s leading scorers last season. Williams played in 31 games and started 22 of the last 23. He was fourth on the team in steals with 21.

He made his mark on the defensive end and the boards as he held Lamar Stevens to a season-low three field goals in their late-season matchup and had 14 games of four or more rebounds. He starts because he is a solid defender and his rebounding at the guard spot could pay dividends in transition.

Ayo Dosunmu, Junior, Shooting Guard

Dosunmu is back and that is such good news for the Illini’s chances at a Big Ten Championship and NCAA Tournament hopes. After his performance last season, he earned a long list of accolades including Illinois Athlete of the Year, the first basketball player to do so since Deron Williams in 2005, First-team All-Big Ten (media), First-team All-Big Ten (AP), and Second-team All-Big Ten (coaches) to name a few. He has proven himself to be a high volume scorer and that is exactly what the Fighting Illini need.

Trent Frazier, Senior, Wing

I am a huge fan of Trent Frazier’s game and I believe he will be one of the most important parts of the Fighting Illini’s success this season. He started all but one of the Fighting Illini’s games last year, led the team in steals with 29, and made three-pointers with 51. He can pull up from anywhere on the perimeter and knock down the shot, his ability to drive to the basket and finish at the rim is impressive, he’s an efficient passer and he defends well.

Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Junior, Power Forward

Bezhanishvili is a bright young talent for the Fighting Illini who looks to build on the solid performance he put forth last season. He averaged 8.9 points, and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 43 percent from the field. Bezhanishvili shined in the post. He capitalized on any opportunity to use the hook shot, he was a solid rim protector on the defensive end, and he was efficient when he faced up with a defender, put the ball on the floor, and attacked the basket.

Kofi Cockburn, Sophomore, Center

The Fighting Illini getting Cockburn back was huge. He was the only player to start all of Illinois’ games last season and his production warranted that. He earned a host of accolades including Big Ten Freshman of the Year (coaches & media), Big Ten Newcomer of the Year (AP), Big Ten All-Freshman Team, Third-team All-Big Ten (media), Illinois Freshman of the Year and he was a seven-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Two highlights of his season were the 15-point and six-block performance against the Indiana Hoosiers in March and the game-winning block on Luka Garza to seal the victory and end the season on a high note. Cockburn is going to be on the list of top big men in the country this season and his sophomore campaign is going to be something to watch.

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