Illinois Fighting Illini News Page 86 - College Basketball

Andre Curbelo - Not looking promising for Saturday Curbelo (COVID-19 protocols) hasn't been practicing with the team and remains in health and safety protocols, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact While Curbelo hasn't officially been ruled out for Saturday's contest, it certainly seems he's trending in that direction at this point. If that's the case, look for Trent Frazier to spend most of the time on the ball again Saturday, and for the Illini to run with a relatively short rotation overall.

JANUARY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kofi Cockburn - Still in concussion protocol Cockburn (concussion) remains in concussion protocol, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Cockburn's status for Saturday will presumably come down to whether or not he's able to clear all of the remaining hurdles to get out of protocol. The big man is reportedly not with the team yet, but with an in-state trip to Northwestern on the schedule, it wouldn't be difficult for him to make it to play. Look for more definitive word on his status to arrive on game day.

JANUARY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Northwestern Wildcats face the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini on 3-game slide

Northwestern aims to break its three-game slide when the Wildcats take on No. 24 Illinois

JANUARY 28, 2022 • Associated Press

Big Ten This Week: Boilermakers' big men will test Ohio St

No. 16 Ohio State's visit to No. 6 Purdue on Sunday is the men's basketball game of the week in the Big Ten

JANUARY 28, 2022 • Associated Press

Oscar Tshiebwe moves into top spot in Katz's POY Tiers

Andy Katz revisits his tiers of college basketball player of the year candidates, with a new name moving to No. 1.

JANUARY 27, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Oscar Tshiebwe moves into top spot in Katz's POY Tiers

Trent Frazier - Leads team on scoreboard Frazier racked up 16 points (6-15 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes during Tuesday's 56-55 victory over Michigan State.

Impact Both teams struggled to generate much offensive production in Tuesday's matchup, but Frazier propelled the Fighting Illini to the win with team-high marks in scoring and assists. He's now scored 15-plus points in eight of his last 11 appearances and has averaged 16.5 points, 3.9 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per game during that time.

JANUARY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

No. 24 Illinois holds off No. 10 Michigan State, 56-55

Trent Frazier scored a game-high 16 points, and No. 24 Illinois held on to beat No. 10 Michigan State 56-55 and take sole possession of first place in the Big Ten

JANUARY 26, 2022 • Associated Press

Rutgers hosts Maryland after Scott's 25-point game

JANUARY 26, 2022 • Associated Press

No. 10 Michigan State plays No. 24 Illinois, aims for 5th straight road win

JANUARY 26, 2022 • Associated Press

Kofi Cockburn - Won't play Tuesday Cockburn (concussion) won't play in Tuesday's game against Michigan State, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact This is devastating news for the Illini, who will now be without their star center for a second straight game. It remains unclear just when Cockburn will be available to return to the lineup following a concussion he suffered during the team's loss to Purdue last week. Expect Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk to garner a second straight start versus the Spartans on Tuesday.

JANUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Curbelo - Officially ruled out Tuesday Curbelo (illness) will not be available for Tuesday's game against Michigan State, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Curbelo is in the team's health and safety protocols and thus won't be available against the Spartans. The Illini will be very shorthanded with Kofi Cockburn also unable to go. Curbelo will hope to return to the team by Saturday against Northwestern.

JANUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kofi Cockburn - Not spotted in early warmups Cockburn (concussion) is not on the floor for early warmups ahead of Tuesday's game versus Michigan State, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact There's still a chance Cockburn will appear during a later portion of warmups, but the early signs aren't particularly positive regarding his status. If he's unable to give it a go again, look for Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk to potentially make a second straight start for the Illini, though he brings much less length than Cockburn.

JANUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Curbelo - Not warming up Tuesday Curbelo (illness) isn't warming up ahead of Tuesday's game against Michigan State, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Although coach Brad Underwood stated earlier that Curbelo, who's battling an illness, will be available to play, there hasn't been an official word on his status in Tuesday's Big Ten showdown yet. News confirming Curbelo's status should surface relatively soon.

JANUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Curbelo - Dealing with illness, will play Coach Brad Underwood said Monday that Curbelo (illness) will be available for Tuesday's contest against Michigan State, Kyle Austin of MLive.com reports.

Impact Underwood said that Curbelo played a season-low 14 minutes during Friday's loss to Maryland and missed practice Sunday due to an illness. However, the aliment isn't expected to sideline him any longer. The sophomore has only appeared in six games this season due to a neck injury, but he's averaging 10.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 21.3 minutes.

JANUARY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

No. 14 Michigan State plays No. 17 Illinois, looks for 5th straight road win

JANUARY 24, 2022 • Associated Press

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk - Scores six in start Bosmans-Verdonk logged six points (3-4 FG), one rebound, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes during Friday's 81-65 loss to Maryland.

Impact Bosmans-Verdonk made his first career start Friday since Kofi Cockburn (concussion) was sidelined, but he failed to carve out much production. While the redshirt sophomore could retain his starting role if Cockburn misses additional time, he's unlikely to have a significant role for the Illini.

JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

In Illinois big man's absence, Maryland finally announces its presence The Terrapins took advantage of Kofi Cockburn being out for the Illini to notch their biggest Big Ten win of the season in College Park.

JANUARY 22, 2022 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

With Kofi Cockburn out, No. 17 Illinois falls to Maryland 81-65 for its 2nd loss in a row Donta Scott scored a career-high 25 points, and Maryland took advantage of Kofi Cockburn’s absence for an 81-65 victory over No. 17 Illinois...

JANUARY 22, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

With Cockburn out, No. 17 Illinois falls 81-65 to Maryland

Donta Scott scored a career-high 25 points and Maryland took advantage of Kofi Cockburn’s absence in an 81-65 victory over No. 17 Illinois

JANUARY 22, 2022 • Associated Press

The Big 10: Kofi Cockburn the latest Illinois star to be sidelined with a concussion As trends go, this whole Noggin U. deal stinks.

JANUARY 21, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk - Making first career start Bosmans-Verdonk will make his first career start Friday against Maryland, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Bosmans-Verdonk's cameo with the starting unit comes in place of star center Kofi Cockburn, who will sit out the contest due to a concussion. Bosmans-Verdonk played 20 minutes in the team's last contest against Purdue and stands to benefit with some additional playing time again Friday.

JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kofi Cockburn - Out with concussion Cockburn has a concussion and won't play Friday against Maryland, Jeff Goodman of WatchStadium.com reports.

Impact Cockburn apparently suffered the concussion during Sunday's 96-88 loss to Purdue, when he played a season-low 22 minutes and had 10 points (3-9 FG, 4-4 FT), five rebounds and two assists. Coleman Hawkins, Omar Payne and Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk should see more run at center in his absence. Cockburn's next chance to play will come Tuesday versus Michigan State.

JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Plummer leads No. 17 Illinois against Maryland after 24-point game

JANUARY 20, 2022 • Associated Press

Da'Monte Williams - Tallies six rebounds Williams racked up three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal over 45 minutes during Monday's 96-88 double-overtime loss to Purdue.

Impact Williams didn't have much shot volume in Monday's loss, but he saw plenty of playing time and tied for the team lead in rebounds. He's averaged 5.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 34.2 minutes per game across five appearances since the start of the calendar year.

JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Trent Frazier - Productive in loss Frazier chipped in 16 points (7-16 FG, 2-9 3Pt), five rebounds and six assists over 48 minutes during Monday's 96-88 double-overtime loss to Purdue.

Impact Kofi Cockburn got into some foul trouble during Monday's contest, and Frazier stepped up with a well-rounded performance to keep the Fighting Illini in the game. The senior led the team in assists and has now averaged 19.8 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 40.3 minutes per contest across his last four appearances.

JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Northwestern Wildcats face the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini on 3-game slide

Big Ten This Week: Boilermakers' big men will test Ohio St

Oscar Tshiebwe moves into top spot in Katz's POY Tiers

No. 24 Illinois holds off No. 10 Michigan State, 56-55

Rutgers hosts Maryland after Scott's 25-point game

No. 10 Michigan State plays No. 24 Illinois, aims for 5th straight road win

No. 14 Michigan State plays No. 17 Illinois, looks for 5th straight road win

With Cockburn out, No. 17 Illinois falls 81-65 to Maryland

Plummer leads No. 17 Illinois against Maryland after 24-point game