ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI NEWS

Coleman Hawkins - Productive as starter Hawkins finished with nine points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 37 minutes during Sunday's 74-72 win over Iowa.

Impact Hawkins made his first start since Dec. 11 since Jacob Grandison (shoulder) was sidelined Sunday, and he stepped up by coming within one point of a double-double during the narrow win. Grandison's arm was in a sling ahead of Sunday's matchup, so it's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Illinois' first Big Ten Tournament game Friday. If the redshirt senior remains out, Hawkins should have another chance to take on a more prominent role to begin the postseason.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kofi Cockburn - Strong showing on Senior Night Cockburn ended with 21 points (9-17 FG, 3-6 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists and three blocks over 34 minutes during Sunday's 74-72 win over Iowa.

Impact While Cockburn has two years of collegiate eligibility remaining, he was recognized by Illinois during the team's final home game of the year as he weighs a trip to the draft following the season. The big man stepped up at the State Farm Center and posted a strong double-double to help the Illini clinch a share of their first Big Ten title since 2005. Cockburn posted double-doubles in just three of his final seven appearances during the regular season, but he should maintain a prominent role for the Illini as they serve as the top seed during the Big Ten Tournament.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Coleman Hawkins - Starting against Iowa Hawkins is starting Sunday's game against Iowa, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Hawkins will join the starting lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale since Jacob Grandison (shoulder) has been ruled out. Hawkins has come off the bench in each of his appearances since Dec. 18, but he averaged 8.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 24.1 minutes per game across 10 starts to begin the year.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

RJ Melendez - Available Sunday Melendez (abdomen) is available for Sunday's game against Iowa, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Melendez was dressed for pregame warmups Sunday, and he'll officially be able to return to the court after missing the past three games while recovering from an emergency appendectomy. He's averaging 3.8 points in 8.2 minutes per game across 19 appearances this year.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jacob Grandison - Won't play Sunday Grandison (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Iowa, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Grandison sustained a shoulder sprain during Thursday's win over Penn State, and his arm is in a sling ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale. Coleman Hawkins and Da'Monte Williams should see increased roles against the Hawkeyes, and it's not yet clear whether Grandison will be healthy enough to play in the Illini's first Big Ten Tournament game Friday.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk - Not in uniform Sunday Bosmans-Verdonk (concussion) isn't in uniform ahead of Sunday's game against Iowa, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Bosmans-Verdonk has been dealing with a concussion for just over two weeks, and he'll be sidelined for Sunday's regular-season finale. He'll have some time to rest up before the Illini begin Big Ten Tournament play Friday.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

RJ Melendez - Dressed out Sunday Melendez (abdomen) is in uniform for early pre-game warmups ahead of Sunday's game against Iowa, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Melendez has missed the past three games while recovering from an emergency appendectomy, but he may have a chance to retake the court Sunday for the final game of the regular season. The freshman forward's outlook should receive additional clarity as 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff approaches.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jacob Grandison - Game-time call Sunday Grandison (shoulder) is considered a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's matchup against Iowa, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Grandison sustained a shoulder sprain late in Thursday's win over Penn State, and the injury could impact his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale. If he's unable to play, Coleman Hawkins and Da'Monte Williams should see additional run

MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Northern Iowa gets past Illinois State 78-65 in MVC tourney

AJ Green had 17 points as Northern Iowa defeated Illinois State 78-65 in the Missouri Valley Conference Tourney quarterfinals

MARCH 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Da'Monte Williams - Leading scorer in win Williams ended with 14 points (4-11 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 33 minutes during Thursday's 60-55 victory over Penn State.

Impact Williams hadn't scored more than two points in any of his last four appearances, but he led the Illini on the scoreboard Thursday with his first double-digit scoring total of the season. Since the start of February, he's averaged 4.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game.

MARCH 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Big Ten This Week: Illini host Iowa with high finish on line

No. 24 Iowa visits No. 20 Illinois on Sunday in the only Big Ten game matching ranked teams this weekend

MARCH 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Williams helps No. 20 Illinois to 60-55 win over Penn State

Da’Monte Williams made four 3-pointers on his way to a season-high 14 points, helping No. 20 Illinois hold off Penn State 60-55

MARCH 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Johnny Davis, Oscar Tshiebwe stand atop Andy Katz's POY Tiers

Who is the top player in men's college basketball this season? Andy Katz offers up his updated player of the year tiers.

MARCH 3, 2022

Andre Curbelo - Slow night in win Curbelo (neck) finished Thursday's game against Penn State with four points (1-5 FG, 2-2 FT), one rebound and two assists in 16 minutes.

Impact Curbelo had been tending to a neck issue leading up to Thursday's Big 10 matchup, but he was ultimately cleared to play. He's really struggled to stay healthy this season for the Illini, missing 14 total games during the 2021-2022 campaign. Curbelo will have one more tune-up game Sunday against Iowa before the conference tournament begins Wednesday.

MARCH 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jacob Grandison - Dealing with shoulder injury Coach Brad Underwood said that Grandison has a shoulder sprain after the victory over Penn State, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Grandison was able to play 29 minutes despite the injury so it does not look his shoulder will have a big chance to keep him from playing going forward.

MARCH 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Curbelo - Warming up Thursday Curbelo (neck) was spotted warming up ahead of Thursday's game against Penn State, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Curbelo was seen with some tape on his neck after suffering a stinger last time out. It appears he will play through the discomfort against the Nittany Lions. It is still something to keep an eye on, however, after Curbelo missed games early this season with a neck injury.

MARCH 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Curbelo - Discloses stinger Curbelo suffered a stinger Sunday against Michigan but returned to practice Wednesday, Bret Beherns of WCIA3 CBS reports.

Impact The report also noted that Curbelo "should be fine," though the news is still significant given the extended time the second-year guard missed due to a neck injury earlier this year. Since getting that clearance, Curbelo has been coming off the bench, and his scoring remains down from last season when Ayo Dosunmu was leading the charge. This was thought by many to be a possible breakout season for Curbelo, but he's instead settled into a secondary role, averaging 6.6 points in 16.5 minutes over his last eight games. Should he be available Thursday, Curbelo would likely come off the bench again, making him difficult to trust from a fantasy standpoint.

MARCH 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk - Not going to return Thursday Bosmans-Verdonk (concussion) will not be available for Thursday's game against Penn State according to coach Brad Underwood, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Bosmans-Verdonk is working his way back from a concussion. He has been able to do minor things in practice, but is still not quite game ready. His last chance to return in the regular season will be Sunday against Iowa.

MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

RJ Melendez - Not game ready Coach Brad Underwood said that Melendez (abdomen) is not ready to play Thursday against Penn State, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Melendez is recovering from emergency appendectomy surgery. He will miss his third straight game. He has been able to do minor things in practice, but coach Underwood does not believe he is game ready yet.

MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jones leads Michigan against Michigan State after 25-point showing

MARCH 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS