Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for Wolverines vs Illinois

Dickinson stalemates Kofi

One of the most exciting matchups of the night will be watching Michigan basketball phenom Hunter Dickinson (7-foot-1) squaring off against Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn, another 7-footer.

Cockburn has been really solid on the offensive end of the floor and is shooting 66 percent from the field as he averages 17 points a game. He also grabs 9.9 rebounds and is credited with 1.3 blocks per game.

What’s interesting is that Dickinson actually blocks more shots (1.6 per game) than Cockburn. He’s also a much better passer. Their shooting percentages are both in the 60s and there’s no doubt, these are two of the best centers in the Big Ten and the country.

Cockburn averages just 0.1 assists per game and I wouldn’t expect the Wolverines to double down much. It will be Dickinson and Austin Davis banging around with Cockburn.

He’ll have a decent game and I think Dickinson will too. It wouldn’t surprise me if Cockburn had a double-double, but by the end of the night, Dickinson will cancel him out.

These two will make it tough to score on each other, which means it will come down to the perimeter guys and that’s something that favors Michigan.