Pivotal Player: Brian Cook
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
Brian Cook's play in the post will determine whether or not Illinois
can get deep in the NCAA Tournament.
|  | | Brian Cook has come on for Illinois down the stretch. |
The 6-foot-10 freshman center has developed into one of the more
unheralded players this season with his ability to block shots and finish in
the post. He has shed his skittish behavior in the post and become more
aggressive.
He started to take more control of his game after Marcus Griffin
went out with an injury in the middle of the Big Ten season. Cook scored 20
points in his first outing and has had nine double-figure games since
Griffin got hurt. Griffin is back and Cook has stayed in the starting
lineup.
When Cook gets around 14 shots a game, he scores near 20 points. His
rebounding numbers, especially on the offensive backboard, have improved as
well. Pennsylvania will have problems with Cook's activity in the first round. Cook
will need to be more physical to play against Donnell Harvey of Florida or
Butler's Scott Robisch in the second round.
The Quakers will have to play Cook by committee and body him up underneath
to get him frustrated. If it doesn't work, Cook will have the advantage.
Butler wouldn't be as limited with Robisch, Rylan Hainje and Mike Marshall
able to body up on Cook. If Cook has to play Florida, the Gators' quickness
could be a problem for him. But he has done a better job of reading the
passing lanes and anticipating shots on the wings.
But his ranginess on defense and ability to seal a defender and get
position on offense makes him difficult to defend at both ends. Cook needs
to log more than 18 minutes a game, but foul problems have plagued him
throughout the season. If he can stay on the court, Illinois has a chance of
advancing to the Sweet 16. |
