CHAMPAIGN — Illinois came out shooting every which way but straight last Friday against Kansas City, missing on its first 12 attempts from long range. It sure was an effective way to kill the mood after raising a banner in celebration of last season’s Big Ten regular-season co-championship. Lowering 15,000 blindfolds to protect onlookers from the unsightly display might have been a better idea.
It was the kind of game against a minor opponent that an old-school, back-to-the-basket, 7-foot true center could have easily dominated. Kofi Cockburn, in town for the banner ceremony and watching from a seat behind the basket in blue jeans and a hoodie, likely had the same thought a time or two.
