Illini Have No Trouble with North Carolina A & T, 95-64
Lincoln's Jermaine Hamlin performs well for the Illini
By Jeff Mayfield

[December 30, 2019]  The Illinois Fighting Illini had no trouble with North Carolina A & T Sunday afternoon rolling over the Aggies 95-64. The teams traded baskets for a while but once the Illini stepped on the gas the final outcome didn’t seem to be in doubt as Illinois led 50-34 at the half.

A trio of Illini led the onslaught with Kofi Cockburn going off for 26 points and 9 rebounds just missing the coveted double double. Ayo Dosunmu had 19 points and 7 rebounds and Alan Griffin continued his improved play this season by providing a highlight reel put-back dunk to go along with 18 points and just all around hustle plays throughout the contest.

Illinois shot well for most of the game finishing at 53% including converting on 11 3-point field goals. The Illini also out-rebounded the Aggies 39-28 while committing only 9 turnovers. Illinois forced 18 turnovers and got a 28-4 return in points off turnovers.

Lincoln’s Jermaine Hamlin acquitted himself well in this game seeing action in both halves. He pulled down 2 rebounds to go along with 1 point and had a good plus-minus for 9 minutes of play.

Next up for the Illini is a return to Big Ten action with a road trip to Michigan State to take on the Spartans. For about the 6th or 7th season in a row the home office has not done the Illini any favors-look at this schedule to start the season: @ Maryland, Michigan, @ Michigan State, Purdue, @ Wisconsin.

If you survive that you can go on to the rest of the league schedule. I don’t know who is drawing these match-ups on paper but you can be assured it is NOT the LDN headquarters!
 

We will not even make a prediction as to what the record will be or what it needs to be for the Illini to finally get back to the tournament. We’ll do the same thing we’re asking them to do and that is play them one at a time. It was good to see almost 14,000 on hand to support our guys. Now if they can learn to be a force in the stands it would be great for our arena to return to being the awesome home court advantage it once was.

Good luck to the Illini football team as they prepare to play California later today in the Redbox Bowl. Go Illini!

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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