Illinois Basketball: Lessons from Fighting Illini exhibition win over IUP

Watch out for Coleman Hawkins

Yes, the Fighting Illini were significantly depleted at the small forward position versus IUP as projected starter Da’Monte Williams did not dress for the game as he rested his back and back up forward Austin Hutcherson also sat out with a bruised tailbone. The result of those players sitting was Jacob Grandison sliding from power forward to allow Coleman Hawkins to start.

As a freshman, the 6’10 Hawkins played 157 total minutes and averaged just over six minutes per game. Over his 25 games played he tallied up 36 points, so, to imply Hawkins made the most of his 24 minutes by scoring 16 points is an understatement. While it is easy to predict Hawkins’ production will increase from the 1.4 points and fewer than one rebound per game, Hawkins does provide head coach Brad Underwood with the option to provide different looks on the court.

Coach Underwood has 6’10 Omar Payne and Coleman to back up Kofi Cockburn, but Hawkins is the only one who can play alongside Cockburn and still be effective on the offensive end while not giving up too much on the defensive end. Defenders have to – if not be worried – at least be aware of Hawkins as he extends the defense beyond the arc. Despite making just three of thirteen three-pointers last season, he connected on two of the seven he attempted versus IUP.

Grandison and Austin Hutcherson may currently be ahead of Hawkins on the depth chart, but they both stand at 6’6″ and set much smaller ball screens for the backcourt while Cockburn posts up in the paint.