Illinois Basketball: Key players and thoughts from the Lewis win

The Illinois basketball team defeated the Lewis Flyers, 83-50, on Friday night.

Here are some of some of the Illini key players and how the performed in the exhibition.

Kofi Cockburn

It is easy to see why Brad Underwood made sure to get Kofi Cockburn. Kofi proved that he was a man amongst boys on Friday night. He had a double-double and will see many more of these this year. He proved that he got in great shape and is ready to play major minutes for the Illini. Kofi will be very hard for any team to stop inside. If he can keep that mid-range jump shot going, he is in for great success as a freshman. Kofi also provided well-disciplined defense, without fouling, which Illinois will need.

Giorgi Beshanishvili

The big lefty didn’t have his best game ever, but still proved he is one of the best players on this team. Giorgi Bezhanishvili will be a huge factor with Kofi. These two will be very hard for teams to stop this year. Look for him to be another guy that can flirt with a double-double every night. These two big men will dominate inside together. Giorgi still needs to find his shot, though. Coach Underwood believes in him and so should Illini Nation.

Trent Frazier

Trent Frazier is still a consistent scorer, as he has been the past two seasons. He will hit the open shots and will provide solid defense as well. Frazier shoots especially well in transition and will be the great shooter this team needs. He will play a huge part on the team and could be a key in how far the Orange and Blue could go.

Ayo Dosunmu

Now this wasn’t Ayo Dosunmu’s best game. At all. Ayo turned the ball over a few too many times and missed some threes as well as his free throws. Even with a down game on Friday, in just an exhibition, Ayo is still the go-to-guy on this team. No need to be down on him after this game. Ayo still found a way to be involved on the defensive end.

Andres Feliz

This was a huge question going into the season. Who would be the Illini’s fifth starter? Well, maybe we got our answer. Going into this season, we knew that Andre Feliz would be a key factor for this team. Out of Feliz, you can expect defense, scoring and hustle. Feliz is what makes this team go and sure seemed to fit in with the starters.

Alan Griffin

Alan Griffin didn’t play as well as some fans would have hoped on Friday. However, he was still the leading scorer this summer on the Italy tour. Griffin has a good looking shot, as well as an athletic frame that will help the Illini off of the bench.

DaMonte Williams

DaMonte Williams, a starter for most of last year’s team, didn’t look as great tonight either, in the first half. Williams picked it up in the second half and had a strong finish to the game. Williams had a lot of turnovers in the first half but still contributed to the win. He’s a great defender who can hit the open shot.

Kipper Nichols

Kipper Nichols is a big body that could play some minutes if Bezhanishvili or Cockburn get in foul trouble. This will be his role this year. Illini fans all know Kipper can score the ball a little bit, but he really just needs to work on his consistency.

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

I’m sure everyone was wondering when this man was going to check-in. He is an interesting player, as nobody seems to know a lot about the Belgian freshmen. Illini fans were welcomed to a huge body with a pure shooting stroke. He was perfect from beyond the arc and could be a well-needed shooter for this team. Like Nichols, his big frame could be used if fouls become a problem.

Jermaine Hamlin

Jermaine Hamlin is a very big body and could be a nice piece in a couple of years. He needs to work on his physicality and frame a little bit. If he can bulk up, Hamlin could be a factor in the next few seasons.