Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Maryland

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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 26: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andres Feliz (10) drives during the second half of the Big Ten Super Saturday College Basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 26, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Feliz is the backup guard I expected

There have been times the bench has struggled greatly this season. One of the bench players who has had an up and down year is Andres Feliz. There are times when this kid can wow me, but there are also times where I wonder what he is doing.

In Feliz’s last two games, he had a combined 10 points, two rebounds and two assists. There wasn’t a ton of production coming from him, and this disappointed me. He ended up flipping a switch against Maryland, though.

Feliz finished the day with 15 points, six rebounds and two assists. He also had three steals as well. His defense was amazing, and his shooting was efficient. He was 5-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. This kid was clutch off the bench for the Illini.

I was waiting to see what Feliz could do. He has had a few good games this season, but I was expecting some serious production entering the year. In the game against Maryland, this was the Feliz I was expecting to see. He played good defense and was able to get to the hoop. Illinois is dangerous when their bench plays this well.

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