Illinois Basketball: 3 adjustments Illini need to make before facing Baylor
3. Developing Giorgi for the No. 5 spot
I think Giorgi Bezhanishvili is a great person who brings a lot of energy to the table. He is someone who is great for the locker room. But, man, the dip in production between him and Kofi Cockburn is glaring.
On Friday against Ohio, Kofi played the most minutes he has played this season. He logged 28 minutes on the floor and finished the day with 13 points and 14 rebounds. This was a great game, but his minutes production probably needs to be a little higher.
I would assume Brad Underwood wanted to ease Kofi back into a lot of playing time because he is a big man and you can’t just expect him to be in game shape instantly. With a weird offseason, feeding Kofi more minutes little by little is a good idea.
But the minutes restriction also means Illinois needs to have a suitable backup. We don’t have one, though. Giorgi is trying to be the backup to Kofi, but he isn’t a No. 5. In the Ohio game, Giorgi finished with 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 block, 2 fouls and 2 turnovers in 20 minutes of action. That is not a good stat line.
Giorgi is undersized for the position. He doesn’t have the strength like a Draymond Green to play the No. 5 despite being undersized. The tough for Giorgi is coming around, but he isn’t an offensive threat by any means.
Next. 3 takeaways from the Illini’s 3-0 week. dark
I would hope Orlando Antigua or someone on the coaching staff is working with Giorgi the next few days on certain things he can do when he does come in as the backup at the No. 5 spot. We need this kid to be good. What Giorgi’s start to the season also shows me is the fact Illinois needs to land Mac Etienne in the class of 2021. We can’t have Giorgi start at the No. 5 spot next season.