ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI NEWS

Back from hand surgery Hamlin (hand) saw a minute on the court in Wednesday's opener against North Carolina A&T.

Impact Hamlin appears to be past any lingering effects from offseason hand surgery, considering he saw the court -- albeit briefly -- in a 62-point blowout. With Kofi Cockburn locking down the center position, and Georgi Bezhanishvili on hand to back him up, there's unlikely to be many available minutes for the 6-10 sophomore in 2020-21.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

On bench to begin season Bezhanishvili isn't starting Wednesday's season opener against North Carolina A&T.

Impact Bezhanishvili served mainly as a starter during the 2019-20 season, but he came off the bench over the final several games of the year. He'll remain in a bench role for the beginning of this season, as Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn will each start for the Illini in the frontcourt.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Starting opener Miller will start Wednesday's season opener versus North Carolina A&T.

Impact The Illini appear to be going pretty small in the opener with Ayo Dosunmu at 6-foot-5 the second tallest player on the floor to open the game. It's possible the starting lineup will change depending on the matchup, but Miller appears to be in the mix for significant playing time as a freshman.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Wednesday Hutcherson (back) won't play in Wednesday's season opener against North Carolina A&T, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Hutcherson has been nursing a back issue for over a month that held him out of practice. While it's not yet known whether he's rejoined the team at practice, he'll miss the first game of the season and still has no timetable for his return, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable for season opener Bosmans-Verdonk (foot) is unavailable for Wednesday's season opener against North Carolina A&T, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Bosmans-Verdonk has dealt with a foot issue for over a month, and he'll be held out of the Illini's first game of the season as a result. The 6-8 forward missed the final 20 games of the season last year due to a similar foot issue, so it's unclear when he'll be able to return to the court.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

COVID-19 putting college basketball traditions in quarantine FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2019, file photo, Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili, left, and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) are swarmed by fans after t...

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • TUCSON.COM

5 things to know about Illinois basketball: How far can the Illini go? Will Ayo Dosumnu and Kofi Cockburn continue to deliver? Illinois hasn't entered a season with expectations this high since the early 2000s. And with both Ayo Dosumnu and Kofi Cockburn returning, w...

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

At Illinois, Ayo Dosunmu will be heard The junior preseason All-American is leading in a way he never has before for an Illini team with high expectations.

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Illinois welcomes Wright State in 2020-21 season opener

Illinois hosts Wright State in each team's 2020-21 season opener

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Illinois gets 2020-21 campaign underway against NC A&T

Illinois begins the season by hosting the NC A&T Aggies

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Illini have favorable Big Ten basketball schedule CHAMPAIGN — With just a few days until the college basketball season, the Illinois men's basketball team has a full schedule. Well, almost.

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM

Takeaways from the (almost) full schedule for the No. 8-ranked Illinois men's basketball team With just eight days until the college basketball season, the Illinois men's basketball team has a full schedule. Well, almost.

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM

Meet the Griffins: How family helped shape Alan, Syracuse basketball’s exciting newcomer Alan Griffin, a 6-foot-5 junior, will play for Syracuse this season after transferring from Illinois.

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • SYRACUSE.COM

Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu is included on the AP preseason All-America team, adding another accomplishment to his celebrated career Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu has been added to the preseason AP All-America list after averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while sh...

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • MCALL.COM

Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu is included on the AP preseason All-America team, adding another accomplishment to his celebrated career Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu has been added to the preseason AP All-America list after averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while sh...

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu is included on the AP preseason All-America team, adding another accomplishment to his celebrated career Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu has been added to the preseason AP All-America list after averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while sh...

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • BALTIMORESUN.COM

Garza, Butler headline AP preseason All-America team THIS CORRECTS NAMES - FILE - These are 2020 file photos showing, from top left, left, Jared Butler, Cade Cunningham, Luka Garza, Ayo Dosunmu...

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • TUCSON.COM

Garza, Butler headline AP preseason All-America team FILE - These are 2020 file photos showing, from top left, left, Jared Butler, Cade Cunningham, Luka Garza, Ayo Dosunmu, Corey Kispert and Re...

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • TUCSON.COM

Makes preseason AP All-American team Dosunmu was selected to the 2020-21 Associated Press Preseason All-American team that was announced Wednesday.

Impact Already a unanimous selection for the preseason first-team all-Big Ten squad, Dosunmu is in line to be one of the top fantasy players in the country after deciding to return to Illinois for his junior season. The 6-5 wing can do it all for the Illini, and will end up among the top scorers in a conference known for its defensive prowess. Dosunmu and the Illini, already voted No. 8 in the AP preseason poll, will open up against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 25.

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No. 8 Illini return with high expectations behind star duo The return of stars Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn has brought a sense of optimism and high expectations to No. 8 Illinois

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

No. 8 Illini return with high expectations behind star duo

The return of stars Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn has brought a sense of optimism and high expectations to No. 8 Illinois

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Illinois basketball opens the season ranked No. 8 in AP poll; Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn named Preseason All-Big Ten The college basketball season is set to begin in 16 days.

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM

Illinois Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Fighting Illini Illinois basketball was a top-five team last year in the Big Ten. They are a threat to do more damage in 2020-21. Illinois basketball is ris...

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • BUSTINGBRACKETS.COM

Future Illini? Hinsdale Central sophomore Matas Buzelis weighs an offer from Illinois — while waiting to play first varsity basketball game Hinsdale Central's 6-foot-8 sophomore Matas Buzelis received an offer to play basketball at Illinois even though he hasn't played a varsity...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM