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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
Junior Ayo Dosunmu points to the crowd while cutting down the net after the Big Ten Tournament win on March 14 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Dosunmu won the Bob Cousy Award Saturday afternoon.

[Photo] Dosunmu faces friend, former rival Lucas Williamson in showdown with Loyola Chicago

By Gabby Hajduk, Former Sports Editor • March 22, 2021
Kofi Cockburn, Adam Miller, Jacob Grandison and Trent Frazier (left to right) stand together neat mid-court during the game against Drexel on March 19. A dominant display from Frazier saw the Illini advance to the Round of 32 of the NCAA tournament.

[Photo] Player grades: Frazier’s complete performance helps Illinois take down 16-seed Drexel

By Jackson Janes, Sports Editor • March 19, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn goes up for a layup in the second half of the game against Drexel on March 19 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The Illini won 78-49 and advanced to the Round of 32.

[Photo] Cockburn’s interior domination, Frazier’s lockdown defense see Illinois destroy Drexel

By Gabby Hajduk, Former Sports Editor • March 19, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier dribbles the ball during a practice on March 17 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Illini open their NCAA tournament campaign with a meeting with the 16-seeded Drexel Dragons on Friday.

[Photo] Illinois ends tournament drought with first-round matchup against Drexel

By Gabby Hajduk, Former Sports Editor • March 19, 2021
Junior Giorgi Bezhanishvili goes up for a shot during the Big Ten Tournament championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 14. Bezhanishvili's 12 points off the bench helped the Illini win their first conference title since 2005.

[Photo] Bezhanishvili’s attitude, play help Illinois win Big Ten Tournament after year of uncertainty

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • March 18, 2021
The Illini pose with the Big Ten Tournament trophy after beating Ohio State 91-88 in the title game on March 14 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Andre Curbelo, Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Da'Monte Williams stepped up for the Illini, helping them snap a 16-year title drought.

[Photo] Player grades: Bench players step up, earn Illini first Big Ten Tournament title since 2005

By Jackson Janes, Sports Editor • March 14, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn defends Ohio State freshman Zed Key during the Big Ten Tournament title game on March 14 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Illini won 91-88 in overtime, winning their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2005.

[Photo] Illinois hangs on to beat Ohio State, claims Big Ten Tournament title in roller-coaster game

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • March 14, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn shoots through a crowd of defenders during the game against Iowa on March 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Cockburn finished with 26 points and was a big reason why the Illini advanced to the Big Ten Tournament title game.

[Photo] Player grades: Cockburn, Curbelo guide Illini into Big Ten Tournament title game

By Jackson Janes, Sports Editor • March 13, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn goes up for a dunk against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament on March 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Illini won the game 82-71 and advanced to the Big Ten Tournament championship game for the first time since 2008.

[Photo] No. 3 Illinois keeps winning ways going, slams home No. 5 Iowa

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • March 13, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu dribbles the ball during the game against Rutgers on March 12. Dosunmu's 23 points, five rebounds and six assists were huge in the Illini's 90-68 win over the Scarlet Knights.

[Photo] Player grades: Dosunmu, Cockburn lead balanced attack in Illini win

By Gabby Hajduk, Former Sports Editor • March 13, 2021
Junior guard Ayo Dosunmu drives toward the basket in the first half of the game against Rutgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 12. The Illini advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2010 with a 90-68 win over the Scarlet Knights.

[Photo] Illinois relishes off fans’ energy, goes on to stomp Rutgers

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • March 12, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu runs down the court in Illinois' game at Ohio State Saturday. The Illini won 73-68.

[Photo] Dosunmu’s key-buckets and words of encouragement help Illinois complete late rally

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • March 6, 2021
Trent Frazier celebrates in the game against Michigan on Wednesday in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Illini beat the Wolverines 76-53.

[Photo] Four takeaways from No. 4 Illinois’ win over No. 2 Michigan

By Brandon SImberg, Staff Writer • March 3, 2021
Andre Curbelo drives toward the basket in the first half against Michigan on March 2. The Illini beat the Wolverines, 76-53.

[Photo] Player grades: Dominant displays from Curbelo, Frazier lift Illini over No. 2 Wolverines

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • March 3, 2021
Trent Frazier goes up for a layup against Michigan on March 2. Frazier scored 22 points in the Illini's 76-53 win.

[Photo] No. 4 Illinois prevails against No. 2 Michigan behind Frazier’s offense, collective rebounding

By Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor • March 2, 2021
Da'Monte Williams breaks through defenders in Illinois' game at Wisconsin Saturday. The Illini won 74-69.

[Photo] Disciplined defense, late free-throw makes help Illinois complete sweep of Wisconsin

By Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor • February 27, 2021
Trent Frazier shoots in warmups before Illinois' game against Michigan State on Tuesday night. The Illini fell 81-70.

[Photo] Missed free throws, layups plague Illini against desperate Spartans

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • February 23, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu goes for a dunk against Minnesota on Feb. 20. Dosunmu notched his second triple-double of the season in a 94-63 win over the Golden Gophers.

[Photo] Player grades: Dosunmu’s triple-double, Frazier’s half-court heave highlight dominant win at Minnesota

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • February 20, 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.

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

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

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

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • February 16, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu takes the floor in Illinois' win against Nebraska on Friday night.

[Photo] Illinois avoids disastrous loss to Nebraska thanks to Dosunmu’s heroics

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • February 13, 2021
Trent Frazier shoots in warmups before Illinois' game at Indiana. The Illini won 75-71.

[Photo] Behind stellar defense, Illinois continues winning ways at Indiana

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • February 2, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu shoots a jumper in Illinois' game against Northwestern on Thursday night. The Illini won 81-56.

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

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • January 7, 2021
Giorgi Bezhanishvili goes for a layup in Illinois' game at Penn State Wednesday evening. The Illini won 98-81.

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

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

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

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • December 20, 2020
Ayo Dosunmu goes up for the layup in Illinois' game against Missouri on Saturday night. The Illini lost the Braggin' Rights matchup 81-78

[Photo] Ayo Dosunmu’s career day not enough as No. 6 Illinois falls to Missouri 81-78

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • December 12, 2020
Ayo Dosunmu tries to dribble past a Baylor defender on Wednesday night in Indianapolis. The Bears defense locked down the Illini and Dosunmu in Illinois' loss.

[Photo] Davion Mitchell, Baylor defense suffocate Illinois on offense

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • December 4, 2020
Andre Curbelo goes up for a layup in Illinois' game against Baylor on Wednesday night in Indianapolis. The Illini lost 82-69.

[Photo] Illinois runs out of gas in second half, falls to Baylor 82-69

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer • December 3, 2020