Illinois preparing to fight on without Cockburn, Frazier
For the third straight year, Illinois is ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll.
As they prepare to tip off with a Nov. 7 home game against Eastern Illinois, the Fighting Illini are feeling pretty good about checking in at No. 23 in the rankings.
On the other hand, they entered last season rated No. 11 and AP had them at No. 8 before the 2020-21 season.
"We have our hands full this year with a new team," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said at the Big Ten Media Day last week. "We're excited about that. We look forward to the challenges that are presented."
Replacing four starters and several key reserve players is the obvious challenge.
Center Kofi Cockburn was a monster in the middle for the Illini the last three seasons. The 7-footer was the only player from a high major conference to average over 20 points and 10 rebounds a game in 2021-22.
Cockburn's name was not called in the NBA draft, but he's trying to win a roster spot after signing with the Utah Jazz.
"Obviously, Kofi is unique," Underwood said. "I woke up every day last year knowing I had 20 and 10. That's a pretty good feeling."
Replacing guard Trent Frazier has likely been keeping Underwood up at night.
The Fighting Illini's all-time leader in games started (138) and their No. 5 all-time scorer with 1,794 points is now playing for FMP Meridian in Serbia.
Alfonso Plummer, Da'Monte Williams, Andre Curbelo and Jacob Grandison are other big contributors that have moved on, but Underwood has multiple new faces on campus that should help Illinois get back to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.
"The leadership is going to come from different areas," Underwood said. "There's going to be some adversity. There's going to be some speed bumps. We accept that. That's part of growth."
The Illini added forward Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech) in the transfer portal, as well as a pair of Baylor products - forward Matthew Mayer and center Dain Dainja.
Shannon, a former Lincoln Park High School star, averaged 10.4 points per game for Texas Tech last season.
Illinois is also bringing in a strong recruiting class, headed by Skyy Clark and Ty Rodgers.
Clark, a 6-foot-3 guard, missed most of his senior year at Montverde Academy with a knee injury. As a junior at Ensworth High School in Nashville, he averaged 26.4 points per game.
Rodgers, a 6-foot-6 forward, averaged 17.3 points and 15.4 rebounds per game as a senior at Thornton Township H.S. last season.
"I've got a lot of different options," said Underwood, who is 94-66 in five years at Illinois. "I don't know what those are yet. Instead of just lining up and throwing the ball to Kofi, there will have to be some different options. I love our personnel. I think we're as talented as we have been. It just looks different."