Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini win over Minnesota

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 30: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andres Feliz (10) gets into a defensive position during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Feliz had a big game

The Illinois bench is extremely thin, especially since the Alan Griffin suspension was levied. Despite the lack of help coming off the bench, Andres Feliz has emerged as a great option for the Orange and Blue.

Feliz had always been a good bulldog scorer. He had multiple stretches of double-digit scoring earlier this season, but since he went to the bench, he hasn’t been the same player. As of late, though, it does seem like he has adjusted to his role on this team.

In the game against Michigan last Saturday, the Illini were struggling and needed a shot in the arm. That shot came from Feliz off the bench. He finished that game with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in the two-point victory.

Feliz piggybacked off that great performance against Minnesota on Thursday night. Illinois was struggling against the Golden Gophers, but Feliz wasn’t going to let this team down. He led the Illini in scoring with 17 points and added eight rebounds and three assists.

I thought the loss of Griffin for a couple of games was going to hurt this Illinois basketball team, but it has actually enabled Feliz to show off the tremendous talent he has on the court. Griffin is going to be returning in some capacity, so I will be interested in seeing how the minutes are distributed.

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