The Big Ten Conference men’s basketball reveals likely the best conference in Division I this season. Of the 14 teams 10, possibly 11, and even an outside chance of 12 teams could be selected for the prestigious 68-team March Madness tournament this season.
Through Monday at the top of the conference race were two teams, Michigan State, as expected, and a surprise to some, the University of Illinois.
Illinois is young, talented, playing hard, and equally strong on defense as offense.
Ayo Dosunmu, a 6-5 sophomore off-guard who can play point-guard, is leading the way. The Illini were 7-2 following Saturday’s 64-62 victory at Michigan and Michigan State won Sunday to tie the Illini for first place, each, 7-2.
Illinois players are mostly sophomores and freshmen. The future looks bright, although, Dosunmu, a star at Morgan Park High School in Chicago, may find interest in the June draft from some teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Seven-foot center Kofi Cockburn is a freshman who started playing basketball only a few years after focusing on soccer in his native Jamaica. Because of his size, bulk included, and potential, he could be in he NBA draft. So, Illinois fans likely should find as much joy as possible this season. Certainly, Illinois will be in the postseason this year, for the first time since 2011 when it lost in the second round to Kansas, coached by former Illinois coach Bill Self.
• Waubonsie Valley High School boys basketball team continues its excellent play with a 20-2 record through Monday, including Friday’s 66-51 victory over District 204 rival Metea Valley High in the DuPage Valley Conference. Waubonsie Valley was in second place in the DuPage with a 4-1 record in the six-team conference.
“We had a big contribution from sophomore Tyler Helbing and junior Justin Starks,” said Waubonsie Valley head coach Jason Mead. (That) was along with our usual suspects (including) Marcus Skeete (a 6-5 senior).”
Skeete was honored between the sophomore and varsity games for joining the school’s 1,000-point club.
Waubonsie Valley will play host to DuPage Valley foe, Naperville North, Friday.
“Naperville North (10-10 overall and 1-4 in the DuPage) plays very hard,” Mead said, “and has a tough zone defense. The month of February will be a big test with a lot of quality teams with good records.”
• The Batavia Night of Hoops Saturday included all four games with excitement and close scores. Wheaton Warrenville South edged DeKalb, first place in the DuPage Valley, 45-43 in game one. St. Charles East defeated St. Joseph, 66-56, in the latter team’s first season without head coach, Gene Pingatore, since 1968 after his untimely death following last season. In game three, Rockford East beat Oswego East, 70-66, in two overtimes. In the final game, host Batavia turned back West Aurora, 55-53. The Night of Hoops always has fine games with good teams.
• Friday, Aurora fans will have to choose among Yorkville at West Aurora, Glenbard East at East Aurora, Aurora Central at Aurora Chistian, or Wauonsie and Metea home games. Just prior to the boys varsity at East Aurora will be the Hall of Fame Class of 2020 celebration. See page 11. At West Aurora will be an award to Neal Ormond III, for his longtime service as a broadcaster since 1964. The 1958 graduate of West Aurora will receive from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Distinguished Media Service Award.
• The 101st Little Ten Conference boys basketball tournament, oldest tournament in the State other than the State Tournament, will be played February 3, 4, 6, 7, at Somonauk High School. Indian Creek was undefeated through Monday, with a 20-0 overall record and 5-0 in regular season Conference. Following seeding, in order: Somonauk, Earlville, Serena, LaMoille-Ohio coop, Newark, Hiawatha, Hinckley-Big Rock, and Leland.