VIDEO: Illinois' Kofi Cockburn Accidentally Socks Ref in Head While Celebrating Bucket vs Michigan
By Thomas Carannante
Illinois recorded a signature win on Wednesday with their triumph over the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines, but before the buzzer sounded the Fighting Illini engaged in some accidental reckless celebrating. Big man Kofi Cockburn aggressively swung his arm and unintentionally clocked ref Lewis Garrison right in the dome after getting fouled on a clutch bucket late in the second half.
Illinois gets a signature win over Michigan and college basketball gets a weird moment. Here's Illini freshman Kofi Cockburn after a basket and a foul late in the game. Hope this official is okay: pic.twitter.com/lJsspnBzOJ
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 12, 2019
What'd the man do to you, Kofi! He just awarded you an extra free throw!
Nonetheless, after the straight up tomahawk, it was nice of Cockburn to immediately prop up the ref after realizing what had happened. It's certainly a night to celebrate for the Fighting Illini, but not if it's going to cause others brain damage.