Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup after losing Giorgi Bezhanishvili

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) reacts to the crowd during a stop in play against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) reacts to the crowd during a stop in play against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
CHARLESTON, SC – NOVEMBER 21: Omar Payne #5 of the Florida Gators takes a foul shot during a first round Charleston Classic basketball game against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at the TD Arena on November 21, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
CHARLESTON, SC – NOVEMBER 21: Omar Payne #5 of the Florida Gators takes a foul shot during a first round Charleston Classic basketball game against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at the TD Arena on November 21, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

No. 5 Forward/Center

Starter: Omar Payne

With Giorgi Bezhanishvili leaving Illinois, the ability for Brad Underwood to bring in Omar Payne is looking bigger and bigger by the day. Payne should come into the Illinois program and start from day one at the No. 5 spot.

Yes, I realize Kofi Cockburn hasn’t declared for the NBA Draft, but if he did last year, he is going to this year as well. This time, I believe he signs an agent. With that being said, I put Payne at the No. 5 spot because he has more of a traditional No. 5 skill set. I think this would be best for the Illini.

Backup: Scholarship #3

Even though Illinois was able to get Payne from Florida, we still need to bring in another talented big man who can spell some minutes for Payne. Illinois doesn’t have that option on their roster right now, and that worries me.

There are a couple of options for the Illini via the transfer market at the No. 5 spot. Joel Soriano is the newest big man Illinois has contacted. He is a 6-foot-11 transfer from Fordham. Another option could be Tre Mitchell. He is a 6-foot-9 big man from UMass. Both options I would be okay with at this point.

Backup: Brandon Lieb

Illinois was able to snag Brandon Lieb last season from the class of 2020, but he isn’t ready to play at the college level yet. He would be the second backup option behind a transfer who could come in and give us some minutes.

Next. Depth is building as Illini add transfer offensive lineman. dark

Backup: Jermain Hamlin

Jermain Hamlin is in the same mold as Lieb. I like the kid and think he could play a few minutes here and there, but Illinois can’t rely on Hamlin to play crucial minutes in a game or they will not be making the NCAA tournament.

Home/Illinois Basketball