Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the RJ Melendez commitment

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 2, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) celebrate a three point basket in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) celebrate a three point basket in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Feb 2, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) guards Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) guards Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5 Center

Starter: Giorgi Bezhanishvili (SR)

And last but not least, we get to the No. 5 spot on in the lineup. With the departure of Kofi Cockburn, Illinois is going to be hurting at the No. 5 center spot. I would slot Giorgi Bezhanishvili here for next season.

Giorgi would be entering his senior year with the Illini. This season, though, he has really started to develop his inside presence on the offensive end of the court. His baby-hook is something that is special. There are some challenges for Giorgi, though. He doesn’t have the size of a No. 5, and he tends to foul too much. But, with the current roster, we would have to ride with Giorgi in this role.

Backup: Coleman Hawkins (SO)

Moving forward, I am not sure where to put Coleman Hawkins. The kid has solid size at 6-foot-10, but he plays more of a No. 4 than a No. 5. With so much experience on the team next season, I would slot Hawkins in behind Giorgi at the No. 5 spot.

Hawkins has come in as a true freshman and showed signs of being a really good player. He is averaging 5.9 minutes per game, and those are mostly important minutes. Hawkins leaves it all on the floor every time he gets a chance to play. I think this kid has a bright future.

Backup: Recruit/Transfer (Scholarship #2)

Before the start of next season, I want Illinois to add a solid No. 5 to their roster. This most likely won’t come from the high school level, so the Illini need to eye the graduate transfer market. I think there is a shot for Illinois to land a big man who could start from day one. That is what I want for next season.

Backup: Brandon Lieb (R-FR)

Illinois fans got to see Brandon Lieb for three games this year. He is taking a redshirt and should be back next season. I don’t see Lieb playing much moving forward, but maybe he gets stronger and becomes a viable option at the No. 5 spot.

Next. 4 observations from Illini victory over Northwestern. dark

Backup: Jermaine Hamlin (R-SO)

A minutes-eater last season, Jermaine Hamlin hasn’t played much this year. He has seen action in five games, but any time he is on the court is usually garbage minutes. He probably won’t see much time next season either.

Home/Illinois Basketball