Grandison and the Illini claim victory without their top three studs
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (BVM) — The Illini men鈥檚 basketball team faced off against the Jackson State Tigers Tuesday night in the season opener, winning the contest 71-47. Kicking the season off the right away is integral to the beginning of any season and the Illini did just that. Although, the team couldn鈥檛 quite hit its groove without multiple key players in the lineup for the first game of regular-season action.
The Illini walked into the Jackson State game down four players, including their three top players in Kofi Cockburn, Andre Curbelo, and Trent Frazier. Cockburn is currently serving his three game NCAA suspension, while Curbelo and Frazier are dealing with acute injuries; Curbelo in the concussion protocol and Frazier with a shoulder injury. The team was also missing Austin Hutcherson with a tailbone injury, a player who stepped up in this season鈥檚 exhibition games as a primary ball-handling option.听
The game quickly began with the Illini establishing an early lead off of their pesky defense and interior focus on offense. Quickly, the Illini lead reached 21-2 as the Tigers could barely get anything going on offense.听
Soon after, the Illini fell into a scoring slump and the Tigers capitalized by clawing their way back into the game. This can be accredited to Jackson State鈥檚 impressive defense.
By halftime, both teams had an opportunity to correct their game plans, with the score standing at 30-17. While the Illini were able to remain ahead in the game, there was sloppy play on the offensive side of the ball throughout the first half.听
For the Illini, the ball runs through big man, Cockburn, and his absence changes the way the team plays from a strategic level. Cockburn put up 17.7 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game last season, as a key part of the Illini鈥檚 lethal one-two punch.听
Coach Brad Underwood never fails to undervalue what Cockburn can do for the Illini.听聽
鈥淭he best player in college basketball is not in the lineup,鈥� Underwood said in his .听
The presence that Cockburn has is game changing, but much of this is facilitated by the guards who set him up. The absence of Frazier and Curbelo was felt throughout the game, and led to a different way of moving the ball up court.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 like having no quarterback,鈥� Underwood commented.
The absence of such foundational players on the team impacted the way the team played entirely.
As the game progressed, the Illini were able to maintain their lead, and regain their competitive advantage on both sides of the ball.听
The team transformed their style of play behind Jacob Grandison, cleaning up many of its mistakes on the court as the game wrapped. Grandison took the reins for the Illini, submitting a 20-point and five-rebound performance in only 23 minutes on the floor.听
鈥淛acob Grandison was spectacular, you see what he added to his game,鈥� Underwood mentioned.
After the 24-point Illini win, Underwood measured the team鈥檚 success with a passionate statement.
鈥淚 am ecstatic with that locker room tonight,鈥� Underwood said.
Coach Underwood could not hold back his pride in the team’s ability to fight as well as the young players鈥� ability to step up when given a chance.听
During the game, Coleman Hawkins was able to make his presence known on both ends of the court, bringing a tempo and energy that would otherwise be nonexistent to the game. The sophomore forward entered 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals in the stat column. Coach Underwood was animated when discussing Hawkins鈥� performance and presence on the court.
“My expectation for Coleman is probably a lot higher than his is,” Underwood commented. “He has no idea how good he鈥檚 going to be.”
While Hawkins is sure to be a presence on the court in a larger role than he was last year, he has some maturing left to do.听
鈥淗e鈥檚 got to tighten things up,鈥� Underwood added.听
One of Coach Underwood鈥檚 high points was the performance of Da鈥橫onte Williams. During Williams鈥� career with the Illini, he hasn鈥檛 filled the stat sheet, but his value goes far beyond his stat line.听
鈥淚 am so happy with Da鈥橫onte, his numbers don’t reflect how well he played, how well he led,鈥� Underwood said.
That leadership propelled the Illini to their first win of the season.
While the Illini took care of business at home on Tuesday, it was not an easy win by any means. The Illini fought their way through the game and had to overmatch a competitive Jackson State team.
鈥淥ne of the better defensive teams in the country,鈥� Underwood said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e disruptive.鈥�
The Fighting Illini came out on top without their top players, but the rest of the season won鈥檛 be a cakewalk. Competing in the Big Ten comes with its share of competition, after five teams in the conference finished last season in the top 25 in the nation.听
Opening the campaign at No. 11 in the AP rankings this season is promising, but the team will have to fight to remain a part of the nation鈥檚 elite.
The team hopes to be back to full strength soon with all the Illini staples back on the court. Catch the Illini back in action on Nov. 12 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, as they face off against Arkansas State.
