Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing each team’s 2021-22 opening night matchup
Jackson State at Illinois
When Jackson State travels opening night to battle Illinois for an 8:30 pm tip-off on the Big Ten Network, the game is going to look slightly different than what was expected. The Fighting Illini opened the season at No.16 in the Busting Brackets preseason power rankings but will have to play their first three games without Kofi Cockburn
After a 101-34 exhibition victory over St. Francis (ILL) and a 94-79 exhibition victory over Indiana (PA), Cockburn was suspended three games for selling clothing prior to the NIL rule being implemented. The absence of Cockburn will give the Fighting Illini an opportunity to work on what they need to do all the more.
Potential warning signs: It was the first half versus Indiana (PA) in particular that demonstrated that the Fighting Illini do not want a fast-paced game and if they are unable to dictate the pace versus Jackson State, they will need to get it under control before Big Ten play starts. This is not to say the Fighting Illini cannot run, with Andre Curbelo running the point as Jacob Grandison and Coleman Hawkins cut to the basket, Coach Underwood will let them fast break.
They just need to limit possessions and limit the number of times Curbelo has to turn over the ball. Jackson State had the third slowest pace of play in the SWAC last season, with 63 percent of their playing time returning if Jackson State can get the Pace of Play above 72 possessions, Illinois will still win, but they should not be happy.
For continued success: A strength that the Fighting Illini will have on Tuesday will be their advantage on the boards. A strength that will be more difficult to exploit with the absence of Cockburn, but all the more impressive if they do. Due to the Tigers only being able to respond with 6’8 Isiah Williams and 6’8 Darius Hicks in the frontcourt, it will not be a major accomplishment, but necessary.
In their 15 point victory over IUP, they only had a seven-rebound advantage. Omar Payne and Coleman Hawkins will have to crash the boards if Illinois is to continue to be successful, not just against Jackson State, but against the Big Ten.