Jackson State Tigers at Illinois Fighting Illini
· NCAA Men's Basketball
Grandison leads short-handed No. 11 Illinois past Jackson St
Grandison and Da’Monte Williams, both fifth-year seniors, were the only returning starters on the floor, but the Illini didn’t look out of sync.
Sophomore Coleman Hawkins had a career-high 13 points and eight rebounds for the Illini.
Illinois guard Andre Curbelo was ruled out shortly before the game with an injury. Star center Kofi Cockburn (three-game suspension), Trent Frazier (shoulder) and Austin Hutcherson (tailbone) were also sidelined.
“I knew we had a lot of scorers out, but my mentality wasn’t even to come in and score at all,” Grandison said. “It was to know my assignment on defense first, knowing the scouting report. I got in foul trouble early and I didn’t let that affect me.
“And I was just hooping.”
Hawkins, a forward, occasionally handled point guard duties in Curbelo's absence.
He drilled a 3 to put the Illini up 21-2 midway through the first half off a Tigers mishap, one of 14 first-half turnovers that led to 13 points for Illinois.
“My expectation for Coleman is probably a lot higher than his is,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “He has no idea how good he’s going to be.”
Underwood also praised the versatility of Grandison, who finished 7 of 10 from the floor, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range.
“Jake took over in a stretch, and you see what he’s added to his game with his off-the-bounce game,” Underwood said.
Jayveous McKinnis and Jonas James scored 11 points apiece for Jackson State.
BIG PICTURE
Illinois showcased its depth while missing three likely starters in Cockburn, Curbelo and Frazier. Strong performances from Grandison and Hawkins bode well for a frontcourt that is unproven beyond Cockburn. The Illini held a 45-35 edge in rebounds while limiting the Tigers to 37.3% shooting.
UP NEXT
Jackson State: At Louisiana Tech on Friday.
Illinois: Hosts Arkansas State on Friday.
How can I watch Jackson State vs. Illinois?
Recent Plays
| 2nd 0:00 | End of Game | 47 - 71 |
| 2nd 0:00 | End of 2nd half | 47 - 71 |
| 2nd 0:20 | Coltie Young made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Isaiah Williams. | 47 - 71 |
| 2nd 0:33 | Alfonso Plummer made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Brandon Lieb. | 44 - 71 |
| 2nd 0:45 | Isaiah Williams made Jumper. | 44 - 68 |
Statistics
 JKST |
 ILL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 19-51 | FG | 24-55 |
| 37 | Field Goal % | 44 |
| 7-16 | 3PT | 9-21 |
| 44 | Three Point % | 43 |
| 2-5 | FT | 14-21 |
| 40 | Free Throw % | 67 |
| 25 | Rebounds | 45 |
| 6 | Offensive Rebounds | 17 |
| 19 | Defensive Rebounds | 28 |
| 7 | Assists | 16 |
| 11 | Steals | 12 |
| 4 | Blocks | 4 |
| 20 | Turnovers | 19 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 20 | Total Turnovers | 19 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 12 | Points Off Turnovers | 18 |
| 6 | Fast Break Points | 9 |
| 16 | Points in Paint | 28 |
| 22 | Fouls | 14 |
| 0 | Largest Lead | 27 |
Game Information
Location: Champaign, IL
Attendance: 14,032 | Capacity:
2025-26 Southwestern Athletic Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman | 14-4 | - | 17-15 |
| Southern | 11-7 | 3 | 17-16 |
| Florida A&M | 11-7 | 3 | 15-16 |
| Alabama A&M | 10-8 | 4 | 18-15 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 10-8 | 4 | 13-19 |
| Texas Southern | 10-8 | 4 | 12-18 |
| Jackson State | 10-8 | 4 | 12-21 |
| Prairie View A&M | 9-9 | 5 | 17-17 |
| Grambling | 7-11 | 7 | 14-19 |
| Alabama State | 7-11 | 7 | 10-22 |
| Alcorn State | 7-11 | 7 | 9-23 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 2-16 | 12 | 3-30 |
2025-26 Big Ten Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 19-1 | - | 30-2 |
| Nebraska | 15-5 | 4 | 26-6 |
| Michigan State | 15-5 | 4 | 25-7 |
| Illinois | 15-5 | 4 | 24-8 |
| Wisconsin | 14-6 | 5 | 24-9 |
| Purdue | 13-7 | 6 | 25-8 |
| UCLA | 13-7 | 6 | 23-10 |
| Ohio State | 12-8 | 7 | 21-12 |
| Iowa | 10-10 | 9 | 21-12 |
| Indiana | 9-11 | 10 | 18-14 |
| Minnesota | 8-12 | 11 | 15-17 |
| USC | 7-13 | 12 | 18-14 |
| Washington | 7-13 | 12 | 16-17 |
| Rutgers | 6-14 | 13 | 14-19 |
| Northwestern | 5-15 | 14 | 15-19 |
| Oregon | 5-15 | 14 | 12-20 |
| Maryland | 4-16 | 15 | 12-21 |
| Penn State | 3-17 | 16 | 12-20 |