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Michigan Basketball: 3 keys for the Wolverines to beat Illinois

By Adam Childs

ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 25: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots over Eli Brooks #55 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the game at Crisler Center on January 25, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 25: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots over Eli Brooks #55 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the game at Crisler Center on January 25, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Attack Kofi Cockburn

The Illini have ridden the backs of their top two this year, but Ayo Dosunmu’s status is still up in the air, so that puts even more pressure on Kofi Cockburn.  He has been sensational this year after deciding to return to Illinois after flirting with the NBA draft.

He is averaging 17.7 points per game and a team-leading 9.9 rebounds per game. He is a force down low and is probably the biggest guy the Wolverines have faced all year. But he is also susceptible to getting into foul trouble and that is why the Wolverines need to attack him.

Michigan has run their offense through Hunter Dickinson all year long and this game should be no exception. They need to keep feeding him the ball and see if he can get Cockburn to pick up some quick early fouls. If the Wolverines can get him off the court, then the Illini will struggle to stop the inside game of Michigan.

Cockburn is also very good on the offensive side, and Dickinson has done a great job of making life miserable for the bigs of the Big Ten this year. Cockburn, though, is different. He is bigger and stronger than almost everyone they have played so far. Stopping him on defense is going to be tough.

That is again why they need to attack him and force him to play a lot of defense. It could either get him in foul trouble or wear him down to where he will be less effective on the offensive side.

Cockburn is a beast and some teams may try to stay away from him. The Wolverines, though, have the guys to go after him and they need to do that. Attack him and good things will happen for Michigan.

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