The Illini dropped in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1, but Cockburn returns for Monday’s game vs. Cincinnati
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When it was announced that All-American center Kofi Cockburn would start this season by serving a three-game suspension for selling apparel and memorabilia back in June in violation of NCAA rules, it was obvious that the third of those three games would be the trickiest for Illinois. No, Marquette isn’t supposed to be great under first-year coach Shaka Smart; the Golden Eagles were picked ninth in the preseason Big East poll. But going on the road without your best player on the first Monday of the season to play a power-conference opponent with rich tradition and an intense fan base could still prove challenging.
And it was.
Final score: Marquette 67, Illinois 66.
The Illini committed 26 turnovers in the loss. They squandered a 12-point lead with less than 10 minutes remaining to a Marquette team that ranks 88th at KenPom.
“You’re not going to win a basketball game on the road against a good basketball team turning the ball over 26 times,” said Illinois coach Brad Underwood.
Long-term, this won’t be a big deal for Illinois. Cockburn will be back for next Monday’s game against Cincinnati. With him available, the Illini should be Big Ten contenders along with Michigan, Purdue, Ohio State and Maryland. But it should be noted that the Illini were still 8-point favorites even with Cockburn unavailable at Marquette. So this was still a game they were supposed to win fairly easily, at least according to oddsmakers. And that’s why I’ve punished Illinois for the loss and dropped the Illini from No. 17 to No. 22 in Tuesday morning’s updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings.
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