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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Gonzaga

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Georgetown Hoyas line up for the National Anthem before a college basketball game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Georgetown Hoyas line up for the National Anthem before a college basketball game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 19: Giorgi Bezhanishvili #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs joust for position under the basket during a free throw attempt during the second half of the game at Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 19: Giorgi Bezhanishvili #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs joust for position under the basket during a free throw attempt during the second half of the game at Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

4. Giorgi Bezhanishvili is a viable option at No. 5

I have said this in every one of the posts following a game, and I am going to continue posting this until it is proven wrong. Giorgi Bezhanishvili is a viable option at the No. 5 spot for the Illini and that is exciting to see.

Giorgi has now suited up in three games for the Illini and has impressed in each contest. In the win against Evansville, Giorgi finished the night with seven points and 10 rebounds. He then showed up with a solid performance against Georgetown last week. He ended that game with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The game against Georgetown was a huge positive for the Illini, but I still wanted to see how Giorgi would do against a big-time opponent like Gonzaga. He passed every test I had for him and more. This kid is the real deal at the No. 5 spot.

Giorgi was a headache for Gonzaga all night long. The only issue I had with Giorgi, though, was his fouling. He needs to be able to stay on the court. But, for the most part, he was huge for this Illini program.

When the final horn sounded, Giorgi finished with 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field. He also had six rebounds as well. He was strong and aggressive inside the paint. He was constantly moving around the court and setting screens. This kid is a solid No. 5, and I look forward to having him start for the next three seasons after this one as well.

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