Notre Dame Basketball: 3 takeaways from double-digit road loss to Illinois

Nov 29, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Trey Wertz (2) and teammate Elijah Taylor (22) look for a rebound with Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame had no answer for Kofi Cockburn

Like a lot of teams around the college basketball world, Notre Dame was not able to stop star center Kofi Cockburn. The junior big man finished the game with a game-high of 28 points and 8 rebounds. He shot an efficient 11-16 from the floor as well with a lot of work being done in the paint area.

Cockburn was able to basically get whatever he wanted during the whole game. The Illini star center is huge inside and was able to outmuscle the Irish forwards. No matter if it was Paul Atkinson, Nate Laszewski, or Elijah Taylor he still got what he wanted all night because he is just a lot more powerful and stronger overall. Paul Atkinson the Yale transfer only played 20 minutes tonight and will be counted on throughout the year, but tonight was not his night matching up against the Illinois star in the paint.

Cockburn was just too big for the Irish front to contain. When Notre Dame did try to bring help with a double team it was either too late, or Cockburn was able to find the open man on the perimeter. The Irish brought back assistant coach Anthony Solomon for his third stint with Notre Dame to help improve on the defensive end of the floor.

Hopefully, they can use this film to help out and clean up some things moving forward when they go up against some of the talented ACC frontcourts that are coming up in the near future on the schedule.

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