ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI NEWS

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

Purdue 96, Illinois 88 (2OT): Andre Curbelo makes long-awaited return in instant classic Is it Feb. 10 yet? That’s when the Illini and Boilermakers meet again.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

Andre Curbelo returns for Illinois — but it isn't enough in a 2 OT loss at home to Purdue Sasha Stefanovic scored 22 points, including a go-ahead 3 at the start of double overtime that sent No. 4 Purdue over No. 17 Illinois 96-88...

JANUARY 17, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Stefanovic, No. 4 Purdue top No. 17 Illinois in double OT

Sasha Stefanovic scored 22 points, including a go-ahead 3 at the start of double overtime that sent No. 4 Purdue over No. 17 Illinois 96-88

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Andre Curbelo - Strong showing in return Curbelo produced 20 points (8-15 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six rebounds and three assists over 26 minutes during Monday's 96-88 2OT loss to Purdue.

Impact Curbelo was making his return from a neck injury that had cost him the last 10 games. He looked like he hadn't missed a beat at all and was a big factor for Illinois down the stretch despite the loss. Curbelo more than likely will assume as starting role again, and after this performance that may be coming as soon as Friday's game against Maryland.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Curbelo - Officially cleared to play Curbelo (neck) has been cleared to play in Monday's game against Purdue, 247 Sports reports.

Impact Curbelo has been warming up in uniform ahead of Monday's contest, so this seemed to be expected. Curbelo will end a 10-game absence due to a neck injury against the Boilermakers. It's unclear what kind of a role he will play in his first couple games back, but Curbelo should be a big part of the offense down the stretch this season.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Curbelo - Looks to be suiting up Monday Curbelo (neck) is in uniform ahead of Monday's game against Purdue, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Curbelo has missed the last ten games due to a neck issue, but it appears that he might be making his long awaited return on Monday. In the first four games of the season the guard has averaged 9.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

No. 7 Purdue visits No. 25 Illinois after Edey's 22-point game

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alfonso Plummer - Drops 15 points in win Plummer contributed 15 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 39 minutes during Friday's 68-53 victory over Michigan.

Impact Plummer was limited to just nine points during Tuesday's win over Nebraska, but he returned to form against the Wolverines while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor. Across his 11 appearances since taking on a starting role, the transfer from Utah has averaged 18.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 32.9 minutes per game.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Curbelo - Remains out Friday Curbelo (neck) will not play Friday against Michigan, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Curbelo has missed ten consecutive games for the Illini and will continue to sit Friday.The 6-foot-1 guard started in all four games that he appeared in, averaging 9.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game this season. His next chance to return is Monday against Purdue.

JANUARY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Auburn, UCLA join Baylor and Gonzaga atop Katz's Tiers

Baylor and Gonzaga remain best in class, while a pair of new teams join Andy Katz's top tier. Find out who else makes the cut.

JANUARY 13, 2022

Andre Curbelo - Limited in practice Curbelo (neck) will be limited in practice on Thursday, Joey Wagner of 247Sports reports.

Impact The team is being cautious with Curbelo's neck injury after a recent setback. He won't do much in practice and it's unclear what his status will be for Friday's contest against Michigan.

JANUARY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE