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Illinois Basketball: Upset over Michigan huge step to tournament

By Jason Parini

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 11: Andres Feliz #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 11: Andres Feliz #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball knocked off Michigan in Champaign on Wednesday. It was a huge step towards the team’s goal of reaching March Madness.

The Illinois Fighting Illini started off home conference play on Wednesday, and it began in the most perfect way possible.

After a devastating collapse against No. 3 Maryland in College Park on Saturday, the Illini headed home to tip off conference play against a solid Michigan team ranked No. 5 in the country.

Michigan started off the season unranked but went from non-existent in the polls to No. 5 in the country after back-to-back upsets of No. 6 North Carolina and No. 8 Gonzaga.

Illinois came in as a one-point underdog and ended up knocking off Michigan by nine points.

The Illini were led by freshman center Kofi Cockburn, whose 19-point, 10-rebound double-double helped secure the victory for the blue and orange.

Illinois’ blow to Michigan wasn’t the only blow dealt on Wednesday.

Late in the game, Cockburn pumped his fist in celebration of an and-one. On the follow-through, Cockburn’s arm clocked the referee in the head as he walked by, forcing the ref to leave the game.

It was a much-needed bounce-back for the Illini, who now face off against Old Dominion at home on Saturday. They’ll then head down to St. Louis for the Braggin’ Rights matchup against neighboring state rival Mizzou.

Mizzou ended the Illini’s five-game win streak last year in a 79-63 blowout. They’ll then head back home to face off against North Carolina A&T. Realistically, the Illini should end the year on a four-game winning streak before heading up to East Lansing to play No. 16 Michigan State to begin 2020.

After the win, the blue and orange are now 22nd in the country in points per game. They’re first in the Big Ten in scoring and are 1.7 PPG higher than Ohio State, who is ranked No. 2 in the country in the coaches’ poll.

Given the Illini’s difficult stretch at the beginning of 2020, their win over the Wolverines was even more important than just a great start to conference play at home.

light. Related Story. Illinois Basketball lands four massive recruits

After the first of the year, the Illini will then face off against Michigan State, head home to face Purdue and then off to Madison for a tilt with the Wisconsin Badgers. That’s three tough conference games in less than a week.

Though it’s still very early in the season, the Illini are in a good spot to be dancing in March.

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