KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It was supposed to be the toughest test thus far for first-year University of Cincinnati men's basketball coach Wes Miller and his Bearcats.
It wasn't.
Jeremiah Davenport scored 20 points, Mike Saunders Jr. added 19 and Cincinnati stunned No. 14 Illinois 71-51 Monday night on the first day of the Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center.
Using their quickness and their depth, the Bearcats (5-0) rallied from two 15-point first-half deficits to hand the Fighting Illini (2-2) their second loss in as many games.
Cincinnati also foiled the season debut of Illinois All-American center Kofi Cockburn, who returned after serving a three-game suspension for selling institutionally issued apparel and memorabilia.
The 7-foot, 285-pound Cockburn had 18 points and seven rebounds to lead the Illini.
Up next: Cincinnati will face the winner of No. 13 Arkansas and Kansas State on Tuesday night.
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