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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Brandon Lieb

By Rees Woodcock

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - FEBRUARY 18: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center on February 18, 2020 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - FEBRUARY 18: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center on February 18, 2020 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 11: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) reacts after a play during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 11: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) reacts after a play during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 5 Center

Starter: Giorgi Bezhanishvili

I am still not completely comfortable with the No. 5 spot purely because I have been spoiled by Kofi Cockburn. It is hard to recover from losing someone of his talent and physicality. But I think Giorgi Bezhanishvili would be the best option as the starting No. 5 for the Illini.

Giorgi had a fantastic freshman season but followed that up with a sophomore slump. He only averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. Those were well below what I thought he would put up. As a starting No. 5, I believe Giorgi’s numbers will increase greatly.

Backup: Brandon Lieb

It is a lot to ask a true freshman to come in and contribute big minutes right away. With that being said, I believe Brandon Lieb could be a big-time player for this program.

I see Lieb coming in and playing 5-10 minutes per game right away. His offensive prowess is something that can help this team. Underwood will find minutes for this kid as a primary backup at the No. 5 spot.

dark. Next. 3 big remaining questions for the Illini

Backup: Jermaine Hamlin

The second backup at the No. 5 for the Illini should be Jermaine Hamlin. Illinois asked Hamlin to come in and contribute some minutes as a true freshman last year. I expect the same this upcoming season too. This kid provides the Illini with some solid depth.

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