Dec 15, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
The reason the Illinois basketball team is No. 2 in the Big Ten and a top 25 program is the fact we have a talented roster.
From bottom to top, the Illini are loaded with talent who could play for numerous teams across the country. In the Purdue game alone, Coleman Hawkins received just five minutes but was still able to put up 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block against a Big Ten team in the Boilermakers.