Illini will play Jackson State, Arkansas State and Marquette over the next seven days.
www.stltoday.com
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Kofi Cockburn’s three-game NCAA suspension will certainly sting for the 11th-ranked University of Illinois basketball team.
At least the Illini can adopt a rip-the-bandage-off-quickly approach to the absence of the preseason All-American center.
Illinois will rattle those three games off its schedule over the next seven days, starting with Tuesday’s 7 p.m. regular-season opener against Jackson State at State Farm Center.
“Everybody says we’ve got depth,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said Monday. “We’re going to see how that works.”
Underwood indicated 6-foot-10 sophomore Coleman Hawkins and 6-10 junior Omar Payne would soak up most of the minutes made available by Cockburn’s absence.
“Omar has a great opportunity to establish himself. I’m excited for him,” said Underwood. “I think Coleman is going to be spectacular. He’s maturing into a really good player.”
Underwood is particularly fond of Hawkins’ ability to play small forward, power forward or center as well as shoot from 3-point range and occasionally assist with ballhandling.
“I’m ready for whatever position Coach puts me at,” said Hawkins, who is listed as a probable starter on the Illini’s game notes. “It means I have to step up. I’m going to be out there for a long time. It’s a great opportunity for me.”
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CAN'T WAIT..........................
Hey logjam , we have a game TONIGHT...........................................