EVANSTON, Ill. — Illinois center Kofi Cockburn returned to the lineup against Northwestern on Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston after missing two games in concussion protocols, leading the Illini to a pulsating 59-56 win against the Wildcats. Cockburn scored 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds for No. 24 Illinois, which improved to 15-5 and remained in first place at 8-2 in the Big Ten. The Illini proved in their win against Michigan State on Tuesday that they have enough talent to win without Cockburn and point guard Andre Curbelo, who is in COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Bu…
