CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — No Kofi. No Curbelo. No problem.
No. 24 Illinois was without Kofi Cockburn (concussion protocol) and Andre Curbelo (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) but still found a way to move back atop the Big Ten standings with a thrilling 56-55 win over No. 10 Michigan State on Tuesday night at State Farm Center.
Entering on a two-game losing streak, Illinois (14-5, 7-2 Big Ten) got off to a slow start offensively and didn’t get on the scoreboard for about three minutes, but Michigan State (15-4, 6-2 Big Ten) struggled, too (16 points combined through five minutes).