Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini loss to Maryland part 2

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 07: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andres Feliz (10) claps as he gets into a defensive position during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 7, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Our bench came through for us

To begin the season, I thought the bench was going to be Illinois’ biggest bugaboo. On paper, it didn’t seem like we had the depth to help out the starters.

But, honestly, I have been more impressed with the bench this year than any other part of the Illini team. They have helped this program win so many games, and it has all been led by Andres Feliz.

At one point this season, Feliz was a starter for the Illini. That all changed when Brad Underwood moved him to the bench and put Da’Monte Williams in the starting rotation for the first Maryland game. Feliz could have taken this the wrong way. He could have sat on the bench and pouted. That didn’t happen, though.

Feliz has been the rock for the bench this season. He was a starter but now he is a spark plug. He finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal on Friday night against Maryland. This was his fourth-straight double-digit scoring game and fifth out of his last six games.

I also have to give recognition to a couple of other bench players. Alan Griffin woke up from his slumber to drop nine points and pull down nine huge rebounds. He was everywhere on the court. Kipper Nichols also had 6 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal on the night.

The bench was the heart and soul of this Illinois team on Friday night. Without them playing well, this Illini team would be a .500 ball club.

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