Illinois Basketball: Top storylines for the Illini during the 2020-21 season

6. Which Giorgi Bezhanishvili do we see in 2020-21?

Giorgi Bezhanishvili’s career with the Illini has been a roller coaster. During his freshman campaign in 2018-19, Giorgi was the only player on the roster to start all 33 games. A year later, he started just 77-percent of the games.

I am intrigued to see if Giorgi begins the season in the starting lineup or instead is used to provide some offensive energy when Kofi Cockburn is in foul trouble or needs rest. It was evident to my eye that Giorgi had a ton of trouble playing with another big man.

However you want to play it and however much team sources might say that Giorgi thrives next to Kofi on the court, the plummet in production since Orlando Antigua landed Kofi is crystal clear. There is uncertainty with his fit since putting up 12.5 points per game as a freshman, and then that being cut in half as a sophomore at just 6.8 points per game.

I hope to see a refined, new Giorgi with a smoother jump shot, improved touch and more interior defense in 2020-21, but different than most of these other storylines, I simply do not know what to expect in Giorgi’s junior campaign.

7. Which question mark proves themselves in the frontcourt?

I expect to see a ton of Da’Monte Williams at the No. 4 spot once again. The 6-foot-3 senior plays like he’s 6-foot-8 with his toughness, technicality and high IQ, something that PJ Tucker has made a career off of as an undersized NBA big man.

Williams is a captain for the Illini and is the identity of the roster. He is an extremely valuable piece for Coach Brad Underwood, but there will need to be some rotational assistance.

We just discussed Giorgi, and I think he will be a bit of a wild card in this spot. Coleman Hawkins is pegged as a future NBA player to many because of his extended range and polished game. Jacob Grandison and Austin Hutcherson are both 6-foot-6 and could provide some versatility in this spot, but are likely better off in a wing role, Hutcherson in specific. He will need to prove himself defensively and as a rebounder, but should have some big games in this spot and relieving Kofi when he faces foul trouble.

You have heard it from me time after time, but once again, I will say how crucial Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk might be in this spot. He is once again facing some injury issues and will not step on the court for a few weeks, but I love his potential as a hard-nosed, athletic forward with high-level rebounding instincts alongside Kofi. He continues to develop his touch out to the mid-range and three-point arc as well.

When healthy, I do think Verdonk can develop into a 6-foot-8 Williams type. Think Tyler Bey or Isaiah Roby with Verdonk. Health is key, but there is an opportunity for him to carve out a strong presence in the rotation if he can stay on the court.