Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Rutgers

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 09: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) puts his hands together to pray as a teammate shoots a free throw late in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 9, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Giorgi put the team on his back

The best game Giorgi Bezhanishvili had this season heading into the game against Rutgers on Saturday was against Notre Dame where he dropped 22 points and pulled down six rebounds. Well, he has now hit a new best for his freshman campaign.

Giorgi was having a modest game in the first half. He ended the first 20 minutes with six points and the Illini were down three points heading into the locker room. The second half was a completely different story for the Orange and Blue and the big man as well.

Giorgi was able to put the team on his back in the second half. He scored 29 points in the second half to finish the game with a total of 35 points and seven rebounds. He also had one assist, one steal and a block as well. And, he didn’t foul out of the game. That is the best part.

Illinois really needed Giorgi to come through against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights brought their A-game and the Illini were able to fend them off because of Giorgi. He has developed from a question mark for this program, into a great big man who could do special things.

I am excited to see what the future holds for Giorgi. The performance on Saturday night against Rutgers was one that I won’t forget.

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