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Illinois’ big man won’t suit up Friday night at Maryland after not traveling to College Park with the team.
Stadium’s Jeff Goodman reported Friday morning that Cockburn suffered a concussion against Purdue and is in protocol. Head coach Brad Underwood told Goodman that Cockburn’s status for Tuesday against Michigan State is up in the air.
Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn will not play tonight at Maryland, Brad Underwood told @Stadium.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 21, 2022
Suffered a concussion against Purdue and is in protocol. Said his status for Tuesday against Michigan State still up in the air.
TCR’s Anthony Pasquale tweeted about the trip Thursday night, saying Cockburn posted a Snapchat story with a Champaign geo-tag. The story was later taken down.
#Illini in Maryland but center Kofi Cockburn posted on snap chat with the geo tag of Champaign.
— The Schmack Guy (@Ant_Pasquale3) January 21, 2022
Could the Illini be without their big man against the Terps? https://t.co/oWmiNAOOIE
Cockburn has been rock solid for the Illini since missing the season’s first three games due to a suspension.
But in foul trouble for most of the afternoon, Cockburn struggled against No. 4 Purdue on Monday, which opened the door for Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk to have the biggest game of his career. Omar Payne will likely start in Cockburn’s place Friday against the Terrapins, with Bosmans-Verdonk backing him up.