DECEMBER 7, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI 5-1 · 7TH IN BIG TEN
5-1 · 7TH IN BIG TEN
Next Game vs Arkansas · Thu 9:00PM
Illinois dominates the boards and comes through at the free-throw line to hold off Iowa 87-83 for a 2-0 Big Ten start Kofi Cockburn scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds, and Illinois scored 24 points at the free-throw line to hold off Iowa...
Cockburn double-double leads Illinois past Iowa, 87-83
Kofi Cockburn scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds Illinois scored 24 points at the free throw line to hold off Iowa, 87-83 and go to 2-0 to start Big Ten play, T...DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Illinois vs Iowa Prediction & Pick for NCAA Basketball Game From FanDuel Sportsbook (Dec. 6) Monday's slate of NCAA college basketball games includes an exciting clash between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Iowa Hawkeyes. Illinois...
DECEMBER 6, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Alfonso Plummer - Top scorer in win Plummer racked up 24 points (8-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds and one assist across 31 minutes during Friday's 86-51 win over Rutgers.
Impact Plummer has been on a tear across his last four appearances following a relatively lackluster start to the season. He's now scored 20-plus points in each of the last four games and has played at least 30 minutes in each of his last three outings. Since Andre Curbelo (neck) will remain out for Monday's game against Iowa, Plummer will likely continue to start and play a prominent role for Illinois.
DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Andre Curbelo - Won't play Monday Curbelo (neck) won't play Monday against Iowa, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.
Impact Curbelo will be sidelined for a fourth consecutive game as he continues to deal with neck soreness that stems from a concussion that kept him out for the season opener. Alfonso Plummer will likely take on an increased role for Illinois once again Monday.
DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Illinois looks to extend streak vs Iowa
Illinois looks for its ninth straight conference win against IowaDECEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kentucky basketball takes on Illinois in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament The Kentucky Wildcats battle the Illinois Fighting Illini in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament at Memorial Coliseum.
DECEMBER 5, 2021 • COURIER-JOURNAL.COM
Plummer, Cockburn lead Illinois past Rutgers 86-51
Alfonso Plummer scored 24 points, Kofi Cockburn had a double-double and Illinois cruised to an 86-51 victory over Rutgers in the Big Ten opener for both teamsDECEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Austin Hutcherson - Minimal impact off bench Hutcherson (undisclosed) supplied one steal across four minutes during Friday's 86-51 victory over Rutgers.
Impact Hutcherson missed Monday's game against Notre Dame for an undisclosed reason, but he was available off the bench Friday. Although he had minimal playing time, it was encouraging to see him suit up in the blowout win.
DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk - Plays four minutes Friday Bosmans-Verdonk (illness) totaled two points (1-1 FG) and two rebounds in four minutes during Friday's 86-51 victory over Rutgers.
Impact Bosmans-Verdonk didn't appear in Monday's win over Notre Dame, but he returned to the court following his one-game absence due to an illness. He's now averaging 2.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per game this year.
DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Trent Frazier - Back in starting lineup Frazier will start Friday's game against Rutgers, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.
Impact Frazier played 32 minutes off the bench in his return from a one-game absence due to a knee issue, proving he was ready to retake his starting role. He will be granted his spot back Friday, sending Ramses Melendez back to the bench.
DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Austin Hutcherson - Warming up early Hutcherson (undisclosed) is on the floor for the early portion of warmups ahead of Friday's game against Rutgers, Joey Wagner of 247Sports reports.
Impact Hutcherson was unable to take the floor during Monday's game against Notre Dame but appears to be in a better position to take on Rutgers in the Big Ten opener. Hutcherson started the game prior to his absence but didn't fare well, tallying just two points and two boards over 26 minutes while turning the ball over five times. That may trigger a move back to the bench even with Andre Curbelo (neck) still sidelined.
DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rutgers, Illinois start Big Ten play
Illinois hosts Rutgers as Big Ten play starts for both teamsDECEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Andre Curbelo - Still in recovery process Coach Brad Underwood indicated Thursday that Curbelo's (neck) recovery "is a process and he's out," Joey Wagner of 247Sports reports.
Impact It doesn't sound like Curbelo is particularly close to rejoining the action, but it's best to rule him out only for Friday's game against Rutgers until more information surfaces regarding his status moving forward. The sophomore guard has appeared in four games for the Illini this season, averaging 9.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds over 22.0 minutes per game.
DECEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Da'Monte Williams - Plays through illness in victory Williams had four points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and five assists across 35 minutes during Monday's 82-72 victory over Notre Dame.
Impact Williams is often overlooked as the fifth-year senior and glue guy, but his contributions Monday were especially impressive given the circumstances. According to Christian Jones of the Daily Illini, Williams was one of the many Illinois players dealing with flu-like symptoms and was even spotted throwing up at halftime. While several other players were forced to sit out, Williams gutted it out, playing the second-most minutes on the team and helping Illinois improve to 5-2 on the season.
NOVEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Trent Frazier - Logs 32 minutes in return Frazier accumulated seven points (3-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt), three rebounds, six assists and one steal over 32 minutes during Monday's 82-72 victory over Notre Dame.
Impact Frazier missed the team's last game with a knee injury, and while he didn't start this contest, he logged more minutes that several Illini starters. His scoring this season has been wildly inconsistent, as he put up 23 points against Marquette on Nov. 15, but followed that up with back-to-back scoreless efforts. When Andre Curbelo returns, he and Kofi Cockburn should dominate the usage, which could limit Frazier's shot opportunities on a relatively deep roster. Still, the minutes totals should remain high due to the veteran's key contributions on the defensive end.
NOVEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Kofi Cockburn - Productive against Notre Dame Cockburn closed Monday's 82-72 victory over Notre Dame with 28 points (11-16 FG, 6-9 FT), eight rebounds and two assists over 32 minutes.
Impact Cockburn was unable to post his third consecutive double-double in Monday's win, but he led the Fighting Illini in scoring and rebounds. The junior hasn't missed a beat following his three-game suspension, and he should remain heavily involved for Illinois.
NOVEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Cockburn, Plummer lead Illinois past Notre Dame 82-72
Kofi Cockburn scored 28 points, Alfonso Plummer added 21 and Illinois defeated Notre Dame 82-72 in the Big Ten/ACC ChallengeNOVEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jacob Grandison - Returns and hits three threes Grandison (illness) finished with nine points (3-4 FG, 3-4 3Pt), four rebounds and four assists during Monday's win over Notre Dame.
Impact Grandison returned from an absence in Illinois' most recent game and provided a spark from deep off the bench. Grandison's three threes marked a new season high, and the guard has now reached the nine-point mark in four games this year.
NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Trent Frazier - Not starting Monday Frazier (knee) isn't in the starting lineup Monday against Notre Dame, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.
Impact This is a good indication that Frazier will be unavailable for the Illini, as the guard has started every matchup dating back to the 2019-20 season. Teammate Ramses Melendez is making his first start in place of Frazier.
NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Trent Frazier - Warming up Monday Frazier (knee) is warming up prior to Monday's game against Notre Dame, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.
Impact Frazier was expected to miss this matchup, but with the Illini missing Andre Curbelo due to a neck injury, the guard may actually give it a go. News confirming Frazier's status in Monday's matchup should arrive shortly before tipoff.
NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Austin Hutcherson - Won't play Monday Hutcherson won't play in Monday's game against Notre Dame, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.
Impact It's currently unclear as to why Hutcherson will be inactive, as the guard has appeared in the past three matchups. Nevertheless though, with Andre Curbelo (neck) also marked out, expected Alfonso Plummer to see an expanded role against Notre Dame in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge contest.
NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Andre Curbelo - Out Monday Curbelo (neck) won't play in Monday's game against Notre Dame, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.
Impact As expected, Curbelo won't be able to give it a go due to a neck injury during the Illini's Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup. As a result, Alfonso Plummer will likely garner another start and see an increased role versus the Irish. Curbelo's next opportunity to return to the floor looms Friday against Rutgers.
NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk - In uniform Monday Bosmans-Verdonk (illness) is dressed out and participating in early warmups ahead of Monday's game against Notre Dame, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.
Impact Bosmans-Verdonk was previously ruled out for Monday's contest, but apparently there's a chance he's available. However it's not guaranteed the big man has been cleared to take the court.
NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
