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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from Illini exhibition game

By Rees Woodcock

LINCOLN, NE - JANUARY 15: Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) dribbles the ball down court against Nebraska during the second half of a college basketball game Monday, January 15th at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Illinois 64 to 63. (Photo by John Peterson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - JANUARY 15: Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) dribbles the ball down court against Nebraska during the second half of a college basketball game Monday, January 15th at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Illinois 64 to 63. (Photo by John Peterson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 22: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader performs during a timeout in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Andres Feliz is better than most Illini point guards

When Brad Underwood was able to land Andres Feliz for the class of 2018, I was pumped because this kid had so much experience already at the junior college level and he was on a national team at one time. He was experienced and really talented.

Illinois fans were able to get a little taste of what Feliz is going to bring to the team on Friday night. He was so great in every aspect of the game. He finished the night playing 24 minutes and, in that time, he put up 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field. He was also a great defender. The bulldog mentality is in this kid and I love it.

I am not saying Feliz is the best point guard on the team. I think Ayo Dosunmu and Trent Frazier, both who double as point guards, are better but on Friday night Feliz was the best player on the court. He was wonderful.

Next. Projected Illini starting lineup for the 2018-2019 season. dark

I would even go as far as saying, Feliz might be the best point guard Illinois has had since Demetri McCamey. That is right, our backup point guard this season is better than any point guard we have had since McCamey. Let that sink in. I think people will probably argue with me here, but what I saw on Friday night was extremely encouraging. Illinois finally has depth at guard and that will help this team get to the NCAA tournament.

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