Illinois provides status update on Kofi Cockburn, Andre Curbelo vs. Northwestern

Illinois got some good news on the health front on Saturday. However, it’s not all good.

Fighting Illini big man Kofi Cockburn is available for Saturday’s game against Northwestern, the program announced. However, guard Andre Curbelo won’t play since he didn’t make the trip north to Evanston for the game due to COVID-19 protocols.

Cockburn suffered a concussion against Purdue and missed the last two games, including this week’s victory over Michigan State. He’s Illinois’ leading scorer and rebounder this season, averaging 21.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. The Fighting Illini are 11-3 with Cockburn in the lineup and 3-2 without him.

Curbelo, Illinois’ sophomore point guard, entered health and safety protocols after the Fighting Illini’s game against Maryland last week. He missed two months of the season due to concussion protocols and is averaging 10.1 points and 4.3 assists per game in his six appearances this year.

Illinois is 14-5 this year and coming off that 56-55 win over Michigan State at State Farm Center. Tip-off between the Fighting Illini and Northwestern is coming up Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.

Illinois comes in as a No. 5 seed in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology

Earlier this week, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi released his updated bracketology picks for March Madness 2022. With January coming to a close, teams are looking for chances to round out their resumes before conference tournaments begin.

Below are a few of the bubble teams most in need of wins, followed by Lunardi’s full bracket.

March Madness 2022 Bracketology: Last four in/first four out

Last four in (with byes): TCU, Miami, North Carolina, Saint Mary’s

Last four in: Oregon, San Diego State, San Francisco, Florida

First four out: Arkansas, Mississippi State, Michigan, Wyoming

Next four out: Kansas State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati

March Madness 2022 Bracketology: South Region

1. Baylor vs. 16. Colgate

8. BYU vs. 9. Davidson

5. Alabama vs. 12. UAB

4. Tennessee vs. 13. Chattanooga

6. UConn vs. 11. West Virginia

3. Wisconsin vs. 14. Wagner

7. Iowa State vs. 10. Saint Mary’s

2. Duke vs. 15. Arkansas State

West Region

1. Gonzaga vs. 16. Norfolk State/UNC-Wilmington

8. Seton Hall vs. 9. Loyola-Chicago

5. Illinois vs. 12. Iona

4. LSU vs. 13. Toledo

6. Providence vs. 11. Oregon/San Diego State

3. Texas Tech vs. 14. Seattle

7. Texas vs. 10. North Carolina

2. UCLA vs. 15. Cal State Fullerton

Midwest Region

1. Auburn vs. 16. Southern/New Orleans

8. Wake Forest vs. 9. Creighton

5. Ohio State vs. 12. San Francisco/Florida

4. Villanova vs. 13. South Dakota State

6. USC vs. 11. TCU

3. Houston vs. 14. Jacksonville State

7. Colorado State vs. 10. Oklahoma

2. Purdue vs. 15. Cleveland State

East Region

1. Arizona vs. 16. Longwood

8. Indiana vs. 9. Florida State

5. Xavier vs. 12. Murray State

4. Kentucky vs. 13. Vermont

6. Marquette vs. 11 Boise State

3. Michigan State vs. 14. Princeton

7. Iowa vs. 10. Miami

2. Kansas vs. 15. Southern Utah