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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini loss to Georgetown

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood shouts to Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Trent Frazier (1) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood shouts to Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Trent Frazier (1) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 26: Seen is a match ball falling though the hoop before the start of the round three NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and the Adelaide 36ers at Cairns Convention Centre on October 26, 2018 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 26: Seen is a match ball falling though the hoop before the start of the round three NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and the Adelaide 36ers at Cairns Convention Centre on October 26, 2018 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) /

2. Depth at the No. 5 spot is coming along

Entering the 2018-2019 season there were some issues with the No. 5 spot. Who was going to stand out for the Illini at this position and would they be able to help the team to win in the future?

Giorgi Bezhanishvili is by far the best option at the No. 5 spot for the Illini right now. He showed good signs against Evansville and then, on Tuesday night, he was able to hold his own against some big men for Georgetown. Bezhanishvili struggled on the boards at times, but I think he is a solid No. 5 right now. He finished the night with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The backup to Bezhanishvili this season is the big question. Adonis De La Rosa came off the bench as the primary back to Bezhanishvili. He is the graduate transfer big man who has some solid skills. He was clearly out of shape but he was coming off an injury, so this isn’t unusual. I think there is some promise there, but it may take a few weeks.

I am interested to see what Samba Kane can do this season too. At this point, it might be best to redshirt him and see if he can get stronger for next season. I think the duo of Bezhanishvili and De La Rosa is good for now, though. Both players will continue to get better and it is nice to have some depth at the No. 5 spot.

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