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Illinois basketball: 5 questions the Fighting Illini must answer in 2020

By Anthony Brown

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates with fans following the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates with fans following the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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3. Can Giorgi Bezhanishvili develop into an All-Big Ten talent?

Giorgi Bezhanishvili has the unique opportunity to become the leader in the frontcourt for the Fighting Illini next season with the possible departure of Cockburn. Does this mean he can also ascend to All-Big Ten status? Bezhanishvili came to the Fighting Illini via The Patrick School in New Jersey and is a native of Rustavi, Georgia. He was a three-star recruit in the 2018 class and the No. 13 player in New Jersey.

Related Story. 5 best seasons in Illinois basketball history. light

In his freshman season with the team, the 6-foot-9 235-pound big man made his mark in the post. He showed an excellent ability to maneuver around defenders to score, bring down rebounds, block shots, take the ball off the dribble and score that way. He finished the 2018-19 season averaging about 13 points and five rebounds per game and started all 33 games.

He led the team in rebounding and blocked shots (26) in addition to becoming one of only four players nationally to score at least 35 points in a game without attempting a 3-pointer. He broke Deon Thomas’ Illinois freshman record of 34 points scored in a game. Bezhanishvili broke the record against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. It stood for 29 years.

As a sophomore, he regressed a bit statistically with the addition of Cockburn who went on to become Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Even still, Bezhanishvili was effective for the Fighting Illini. He continued to hurt opposing defenses with his hook shot, take the ball off the dribble and score and block shots. He averaged about seven points and five rebounds per game, but he increased his three-point shooting percentage from 16 percent to 30 percent and had 49 assists on the year.

Bezhanishvili can be an All-Big Ten talent if he is able to average a double-double this season and his defensive numbers increase. He’ll be the main guy in the frontcourt if Cockburn stays in the 2020 NBA Draft. Bezhanishvili is another guy on this team who can take his game to another level. He has all of the tools to do so.