NCAA Basketball top 25 power rankings: Texas Tech rises, Baylor and Providence fall
By Joey Loose
15. Illinois (19-7)
We’ve certainly seen how tough the Big Ten has been this season, and we’re not just talking about those teams hovering at the top of the league. Any day could be a nightmare for any team in the league. Illinois has had some remarkable performances this season but they’ve also slipped up more than a few times, especially when star center Kofi Cockburn has his share of struggles.
This week was an example of both cases, starting with a tough 70-59 road loss at Rutgers. Cockburn had 20 points and 10 rebounds but the Illini didn’t play their best game on either side of the ball. They brought the heat over the weekend, securing an important 79-74 road win against Michigan State. Cockburn had 27 points and 9 rebounds while Jacob Grandison played an important role with his 24 points.
The Illini remain among the best teams in the nation, and this kind of performance on the road only solidifies that point. Illinois has their share of struggles and Cockburn doesn’t quite dominate as much as he should, but if their shooters are scoring, this team is going to be hard to beat down the stretch. Next week the pain only continues, as the Illini play Ohio State before an important road game at Michigan, hoping to keep themselves at the top of the Big Ten title race.