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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Omar Payne

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on from the bench during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois defeated Penn State 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on from the bench during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois defeated Penn State 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 14: Giorgi Bezhanishvili #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 14: Giorgi Bezhanishvili #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Guard/Forward

Starter: Giorgi Bezhanishvili

I am going to go big with the projected lineup for next season. So, at the No. 4 spot, I am putting Giorgi Bezhanisvili because he is on the roster and is one of the best most experienced weapons we have right now. Giorgi has been a main staple for the Illini the past three seasons and will hopefully be a big-time contributor on the roster in 2021.

Giorgi put up solid numbers as a backup to Kofi Cockburn this past season. He averaged 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest. He has had some big games for the Illini as well. In the Big Ten Tournament title game, Giorgi finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in the overtime win over Ohio State. If he is on the Illini roster next season, look for Giorgi to start at the No. 4 spot.

Backup: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

The backup to Giorgi entering next season could very well be Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk. He is a player who many thought would develop into a big contributor on the Illinois basketball team but hasn’t produced since coming to Champaign.

Last season, Verdonk averaged 0.3 points and 0.4 rebounds per game. He only saw action in eight total games, though. I am curious to see what comes of Verdonk. As of right now, I have him slotted at the backup No. 4 spot.

Backup: Scholarship #2

With only two scholarships left for the Illini to use right now, I would use the second one at the No. 4 spot. The first scholarship would be used at point guard, which is a massive need. But I believe snagging a solid No. 4 out of the transfer market or recruiting is extremely important as well.

The best option here for me would be Tre Mitchell. The recruitment of Mitchell has died down a little bit, but he is someone I have wanted for a while. Adding Mitchel via the transfer portal would give so much flexibility to the No. 4 and No. 5 spots. A newer name who could come in and get time would be Joel Soriano. Illinois has been in contact with him recently. Honestly, though, if Illinois can land a couple of guards with their two scholarships, we can do a four-guard rotation again.

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