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Brandon Simberg

All content by Brandon Simberg
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn goes for the dunk during the game against Nebraska. The Illinois basketball team will face off against Michigan tonight.

Michigan preview: Defending pick-and-roll offense will be key in showdown with Wolverines

March 2, 2021
Freshman Adam Miller shoots a free throw during a game against Nebraska on Thursday at State Farm Center. Miller became the primary scorer after Ayo Dosunmu was benched for facial injuries.

With Dosunmu out, Adam Miller fills a familiar role as primary scorer

March 1, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn looks to shoot during the game against Wisconsin on Saturday. The Illini won the game 74-69.

Player grades: Cockburn, Curbelo dominate in win over Badgers

February 28, 2021
Adam Miller drives to the basket in Illinois' game against Nebraska on Thursday. Without Ayo Dosunmu, Miller stepped up for the team with 16 first-half points.

With Dosunmu out, Adam Miller fills familiar role as primary scorer

February 27, 2021
Adam Miller shoots a 3-pointer during Illinois' game against Nebraska on Thursday night. On Senior Night, the Illini won 86-70.

Illinois manages to find offensive rhythm, balance without Dosunmu to bury Nebraska

February 25, 2021
Illinois forward Zach Griffith (4) shoots the ball during the game against Illinois Wesleyan at State Farm Center on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.

From 1A to Big Ten: How Zach Griffith left his mark on Illinois

February 25, 2021
Trent Frazier, Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu stand together on the court during Illinois' game at Michigan State. The Illini lost 81-70.

Missed free throws, layups plague Illini against desperate Spartans

February 23, 2021
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo looks on in the second half of their game against Iowa at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, on Feb. 13, 2021.

Illinois, Michigan State sit at opposite ends of Big Ten

February 23, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu shoots the ball in the first half against Minnesota on Feb. 20. Dosunmu notched his second triple-double of the season in the 94-63 win.

Dosunmu’s triple-double, Illinois’ size advantage secures dominant victory over Minnesota

February 20, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu looks downcourt during the game against Northwestern on Tuesday. The Illini will face Minnesota tonight.

Illinois looks to continue road success against Minnesota

February 20, 2021
Giorgi Bezhanishvili puts up a shot in Illinois' game against Northwestern Tuesday night. The Illini won 73-66.

Hot start, Williams’ hustle allows for Illinois to hold off Northwestern

February 16, 2021
Ramses Melendez poses with an MVP award on March 1. Melendez is the most recent recruit to the 2021 Illinois basketball class.

Ramses Melendez commits to Illinois, and other recruiting notes

February 15, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier passes to senior Da'Monte Williams during the game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6. The Illinois basketball team will face off against Northwestern tonight.

Ahead of rematch with Northwestern, No. 5 Illinois learns how deep Big Ten really is

February 15, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu takes the floor in Illinois' win against Nebraska on Friday night.

Illinois avoids disastrous loss to Nebraska thanks to Dosunmu’s heroics

February 12, 2021
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood speaks with one of his players during the game against Wisconsin on Saturday. Illinois was set to face Michigan yesterday, but the game was postponed.

Amid scheduling changes, Illinois looks set to take on Nebraska

February 12, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu looks to Kofi Cockburn while dribbling during Illinois' game against Wisconsin on Saturday.

Breaking down all 12 of Dosunmu’s assists from win over Wisconsin

February 9, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu dribbles past a Wisconsin defender in Illinois' game on Saturday. The Illini won 75-60.

Ayo’s triple-double, Kofi’s paint dominance lead Illini to fourth-straight win

February 6, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu drives to the basket in Illinois' game against Iowa on Jan. 29.

Wisconsin preview: Setting fast pace, guarding perimeter is key against dangerous Badger team

February 6, 2021
Illinois' group of starters stand together during Illinois' game against Penn State on Jan. 19.

Illini show they can win in different ways in slugfest against Hoosiers

February 3, 2021
Trent Frazier shoots in warmups before Illinois' game at Indiana. The Illini won 75-71.

Behind stellar defense, Illinois continues winning ways at Indiana

February 2, 2021
Junior forward Jacob Grandison captures a rebound during the game against Iowa on Friday. The Illini will face off against Indiana tonight in Bloomington.

Indiana preview: Shutting down Jackson-Davis, Franklin is key in second showdown of season

February 2, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier passes to his left during the game against Ohio State on Jan. 16. Frazier had a very successful game against Iowa on Friday.

Frazier uses Naismith snub to turn in best game of season

January 31, 2021
Jacob Grandison defends a shot in Illinois' game against Iowa on Friday. The Illini won 80-75.

Illinois’ interior defense, Grandison’s big shot propel Illinois to victory over No. 7 Iowa

January 29, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn jumps to shoot during the game against Maryland on Jan. 11. The Illini will face off with Iowa tonight at State Farm Center.

Keys to the game: Dosunmu dominance, role players playing their roles key in Iowa showdown

January 29, 2021
Forward basketball player Coleman Hawkins reaches up to block a shot against Purdue on Jan. 2 at State Farm Center.

Hawkins provides energy, promise for Illini

January 27, 2021
Illinois coach Brad Underwood plans a play on the sidelines during the game against Purdue on Jan. 2.

Illinois is running out of time to meet lofty expectations

January 25, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu dribbles the ball in Illinois' game against Penn State on Tuesday night. The Illini won 79-65.

Behind Cockburn, Frazier, Illinois snaps two-game skid against Penn State

January 19, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier drives towards the basket during the game against Ohio State on Saturday.

Between losing streak, COVID-19 cancellations, Illinois approaches crucial point in season

January 19, 2021
Ohio State Sophomore E.J. Liddell attempts to block a layup from Junior Ayo Dosunmu during the game against Ohio State on Saturday,

Liddell dominates Illini again against his home state school

January 18, 2021
Da'Monte Williams drives to the lane in Illinois' game against Ohio State Saturday. The Illini fell 87-81.

Slow start finally catches up to Illini, dooms them against Buckeyes

January 16, 2021
Andre Curbelo drives to the hoop in Illinois' game against Maryland last Sunday.

Curbelo looks to find his rhythm against former teammate

January 16, 2021
The Illinois men's basketball team huddles before a play during the game against Purdue on Jan. 2.

Mario Kart, wood working, Tik Tok: Illinois men’s basketball bonds as a group

January 13, 2021
Senior Da'Monte Williams drives forward during the game against Maryland on Sunday.

Illini fail to find offensive balance in loss to Maryland

January 11, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu drives to the lane during Illinois' game against Maryland Sunday night. The Illini fell 66-63.

Dosunmu’s late efforts not enough as Illinois goes cold in 66-63 loss to Maryland

January 10, 2021
Illinois coach Brad Underwood plans a play on the sidelines during the game against Purdue on Jan. 2.

Perimeter-oriented Maryland provides different type of challenge for No. 12 Illinois

January 10, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn walks towards the court during the game against Purdue on Saturday.

After rough first half, Cockburn responds to criticism well to help thwart Northwestern

January 8, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu shoots a jumper in Illinois' game against Northwestern on Thursday night. The Illini won 81-56.

Illinois’ second half surge leads to dominant 81-56 win at Northwestern

January 7, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu drives forward during the game against Purdue on Saturday.

In-state foes Illinois and Northwestern square off again on Thursday

January 7, 2021
Kofi Cockburn goes up for a shot in Illinois' game against Purdue on Saturday. The Illini won 66-58.

Balanced offensive attack leads Illinois past Purdue 66-58

January 2, 2021
Junior Giorgi Bezhanishvili lookd to pass during the game against Indiana on Dec. 26.

Illinois looks to keep win streak going against Purdue after week off

January 2, 2021
Members of the Illinois basketball team walk on the court between plays during the game against Minnesota on Dec. 26.

Answering midseason mailbag questions

January 1, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu prepares to shoot the ball during the game against Indiana on Saturday.

Confidence, preparation: How Ayo Dosunmu has established himself as top closer in college basketball

December 28, 2020
Ayo Dosunmu goes up for a layup in Illinois' contest against Indiana at State Farm Center on Saturday. Behind Dosunmu's performance, the Illini won X-X.

Dosunmu’s hot stretch, Cockburn’s defense lead way for Illinois’ 69-60 win over Indiana

December 26, 2020
Da'Monte Williams goes up for the layup contested by Trayce Jackson-Davis in Illinois' meeting with Indiana last season on March 1. The Illini face the Hoosiers Saturday afternoon.

No. 18 Illinois looks to continue winning ways against front-court orientated Indiana

December 25, 2020
Jacob Grandison looks to pass the ball in Illinois' game against Minnesota on Dec. 15. Grandison's playing time increased against Penn State because of his physicality and hustle plays.

Jacob Grandison’s hustle plays become bright spot for Illinois

December 25, 2020
Giorgi Bezhanishvili goes for a layup in Illinois' game at Penn State Wednesday evening. The Illini won 98-81.

Illinois rallies from slow start to down Penn State 98-81

December 23, 2020
Senior Trent Frazier shoots the ball during the game against Minnesota on Dec. 15.

Illinois will look to veterans to bounce back against Penn State

December 23, 2020
Ayo Dosunmu shoots a jumper in Illinois' game at Rutgers on Sunday afternoon. The Illini fell 91-88.

Despite offensive outburst, Illinois gets outworked by Rutgers in 91-88 loss

December 20, 2020
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood instructs his team from the sideline during the game against Minnesota on Tuesday.

No. 13 Illinois prepared for defensive, low-scoring game with No. 19 Rutgers

December 20, 2020
Freshman Andre Curbelo drives towards the basket during the game against Minnesota on Tuesday. The Illini won the game 92-65.

Andre Curbelo uses underdog mentality, passing flash to woo teammates

December 17, 2020
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