I didn't realize this game was already played. I've been drinking since the win, cut me some slack.
Illinois 99, Rutgers 94 OT POSTGAME
I didn't realize this game was already played. I've been drinking since the win, cut me some slack.
Is Bezhanishvili the best freshman in the history of Illinois basketball.
Agree/Disagree
In the history of Illinois basketball not to many double digit scorers, I'm talking about true freshmen. So no Deon, Frankie, Liberty, nick Anderson. Giorgi IMHO is further ahead than Brian Cook abd Meyers Leonard as freshmen. GB has a bright future, very quick feet for a big man.
Agreed. Feeding the post is a lost art and Illinois in particular was horrible in that regard for a long, long time.
I know he's athletic, but Ethan Happ is a different beast of athletic college big man. That's not a knock on Giorgi, his other skills are right there with him, like when he brought the ball up the court today. I compared him cold out of high school based purely on those workout vids to Happ when he was ranked #500. Don't take it as a slight to him, Giorgi is a stud and to say he's a step behind Happ as a freshman to senior comparison isn't a bad thing when you are probably talking about the best senior center in the country. Giorgi could get there, sooner than we all thought.
Plus he's already the guy huddling them during breaks in action.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
So much for my "this team is only going to win one or two more games this season" comment after the Iowa loss.:huh:
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Attachments
I don't remember a fr center with better footwork and ball control, plus great hands, shoots consistently with either hand and has learned not to foul, sorta good. Plus a better fr dancer.
Deleted member 643761
D
Guest
I think you described the perfect big for every scheme. Is there some team out there where Giorgi wouldn't do well?
But Skip didn't play as a freshman. Actually, Deon didn't either. Then again, Giorgi isn't a typical freshman from an age standpoint
What a fantastic game by Giorgi. I just can't believe how much he has improved throughout the season and the poise he has for a freshman. He has turned into a phenomenal player and I can't believe that we are going to have 3 more years of watching him play for the ILLINI. What a game and he represents the Illini culture as well as any player that I can remember. He is going to be an all time Fan favorite
Have been looking for a video of the shove of Giorgi from Omoruyi in the post game line. Does it seem like he just didn't like Giorgi having a record game against the Rutger's front line? Can't find it. Does anyone have that on video?
Everybody misses things, I WAS at the frig chasing a celebratory beer after the game and didn't see the altercation.
Everybody misses things, I WAS at the frig chasing a celebratory beer after the game and didn't see the altercation.
Dre is a bulldog - he is tough as nails. Reminds me of Chester Frazier.
bredhartmann
- Centralia, IL
Check out the game highlights on the front page it happens at the very end. Wasn’t anything too serious.
Deleted member 645583
D
Guest
Aren't replays wonderful when the team wins?
Forever ILLINI!
Forever ILLINI!
Tacomallini
- Washington State
I'm way too lazy to do the research, but anybody know if have we ever had multiple B1G All-Freshman players in the same season? If so, were they both true freshman?
Recruit more dancers?
Really crappy poor sportsmanship, however. Looks like at the end of the clip Giorgi was looking for someone's had to shake. I wonder if it was Omoruyi.
Regarding freshmen big men at Illinois, I looked at points and rebounds for freshmen going back to 1980, and included both Centers and Forwards (excluded those with less than 1.0 ppg) -
1981-82
Anthony Welch, 3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg
George Montgomery, 3.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg
1982-83
Efrem Winters, 12.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Scott Meents, 2.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg
1985-86
Lowell Hamilton 3.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Olaf Blab, 1.2 ppg, 0.6 rpg
Jens Kujawa, 2.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg
1988-89
Marcus Liberty, 8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Andy Kaufman, 4.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg
1989-90
Rodney Jones, 7.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Andy Kpedi, 2.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg
1990-91
Deon Thomas, 15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Tom Michael, 4.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg
TJ Wheeler, 4.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg
1991-92
Scott Pierce, 5.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Robert Bennett, 4.8 ppg, 3.8 ppg
Marc Davidson, 1.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg
1993-94
Jerry Hester, 8.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Chris Gandy, 3.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg
1994-95
Jarrod Gee, 6.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Brian Notree, 2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg
Brian Johnson 2.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Brett Robisch, 1.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg
1995-96
Ryan Blackwell, 3.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg
1996-97
Victor Chukwudebe, 2.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg
1997-98
Sergio McClain, 3.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Awvee Story, 3.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg
1998-99
Lucas Johnson, 4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Damir Krupalija, 4.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Robert Archibald, 3.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg
1999-2000
Brian Cook, 9.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg
2001-02
Nick Smith, 3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Roger Powell, 2.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg
2002-03
James Augustine, 7.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg
Kyle Wilson, 2.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Aaron Spears, 3.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg
2003-04
Brian Randle, 2.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Warren Carter, 1.2 ppg, 0.6 rpg
2004-05
Shaun Pruitt 1.4 pff, 0.9 rpg
2005-06
Richard Semrau, 3.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Brian Carlwell, 1.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg
Charles Jackson, 1.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg
2007-08
Mike Tisdale, 3.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Mike Davis, 2.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Bill Cole, 2.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg
2009-10
Tyler Griffey, 3.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg
2010-11
Jereme Richmond, 7.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Meyers Leonard, 2.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg
2011-12
Myke Henry, 3.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg
Nnanna Egwu, 1.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg
2012-13
Maverick Morgan, 1.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Austin Colbert, 1.3 ppg, 0.8 rpg
2014-15
Leron Black, 5.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg
2015-16
Michael Finke, 7.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg
2016-17
Kipper Nichols, 4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg
2017-18
Greg Eboigbodin, 2.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg
2018-19 (through Rutgers game)
Giorgi Bezhanishvili, 12.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Samba Kane, 1.9 ppg, 0.6 rpg
Illinois has never had the reputation for acquiring and developing big men, but suffice it to say that if the season were to end today, Giorgi has had the 3rd best freshman season of any Illini big in the last 30+ years, and the season's not out yet. The other two (Efrem Winters and Deon Thomas) had pretty great careers as Illini, and Giorgi is on the right track. Even lottery pick Meyers Leonard's sophomore season was only a bit better than Giorgi's at 13.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg. (Meyers leaving for the NBA was the right thing for him, but we will always wonder "What if. . . . ?")
I'm not going to go back and dig up the data on freshmen duos, but suffice it to say that Giorgi and Ayo are amongst the top 2 or 3 freshmen duos over the same timeframe.
1981-82
Anthony Welch, 3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg
George Montgomery, 3.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg
1982-83
Efrem Winters, 12.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Scott Meents, 2.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg
1985-86
Lowell Hamilton 3.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Olaf Blab, 1.2 ppg, 0.6 rpg
Jens Kujawa, 2.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg
1988-89
Marcus Liberty, 8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Andy Kaufman, 4.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg
1989-90
Rodney Jones, 7.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Andy Kpedi, 2.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg
1990-91
Deon Thomas, 15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Tom Michael, 4.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg
TJ Wheeler, 4.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg
1991-92
Scott Pierce, 5.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Robert Bennett, 4.8 ppg, 3.8 ppg
Marc Davidson, 1.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg
1993-94
Jerry Hester, 8.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Chris Gandy, 3.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg
1994-95
Jarrod Gee, 6.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Brian Notree, 2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg
Brian Johnson 2.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Brett Robisch, 1.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg
1995-96
Ryan Blackwell, 3.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg
1996-97
Victor Chukwudebe, 2.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg
1997-98
Sergio McClain, 3.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Awvee Story, 3.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg
1998-99
Lucas Johnson, 4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Damir Krupalija, 4.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Robert Archibald, 3.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg
1999-2000
Brian Cook, 9.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg
2001-02
Nick Smith, 3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Roger Powell, 2.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg
2002-03
James Augustine, 7.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg
Kyle Wilson, 2.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Aaron Spears, 3.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg
2003-04
Brian Randle, 2.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Warren Carter, 1.2 ppg, 0.6 rpg
2004-05
Shaun Pruitt 1.4 pff, 0.9 rpg
2005-06
Richard Semrau, 3.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Brian Carlwell, 1.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg
Charles Jackson, 1.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg
2007-08
Mike Tisdale, 3.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Mike Davis, 2.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Bill Cole, 2.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg
2009-10
Tyler Griffey, 3.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg
2010-11
Jereme Richmond, 7.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Meyers Leonard, 2.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg
2011-12
Myke Henry, 3.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg
Nnanna Egwu, 1.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg
2012-13
Maverick Morgan, 1.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Austin Colbert, 1.3 ppg, 0.8 rpg
2014-15
Leron Black, 5.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg
2015-16
Michael Finke, 7.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg
2016-17
Kipper Nichols, 4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg
2017-18
Greg Eboigbodin, 2.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg
2018-19 (through Rutgers game)
Giorgi Bezhanishvili, 12.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Samba Kane, 1.9 ppg, 0.6 rpg
Illinois has never had the reputation for acquiring and developing big men, but suffice it to say that if the season were to end today, Giorgi has had the 3rd best freshman season of any Illini big in the last 30+ years, and the season's not out yet. The other two (Efrem Winters and Deon Thomas) had pretty great careers as Illini, and Giorgi is on the right track. Even lottery pick Meyers Leonard's sophomore season was only a bit better than Giorgi's at 13.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg. (Meyers leaving for the NBA was the right thing for him, but we will always wonder "What if. . . . ?")
I'm not going to go back and dig up the data on freshmen duos, but suffice it to say that Giorgi and Ayo are amongst the top 2 or 3 freshmen duos over the same timeframe.
Would love to see a Jordan Murphy on this team. Physical player that is our missing piece IMO. Aaron does a great job for his size but is manhandled by larger players. Maybe Leron could have been that piece but it isn't there in any case. Kofi will add the physical but it will sure change Giorgi's role. Maybe that piece is a spring recruit we don't know about ala Giorgi.
Please no. Have a drink!
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
https://www.stltoday.com/sports/col...cle_85060951-6b39-5f08-9272-6c3a572320ca.html
In the final game of three that Davit saw Giorgi in person while visiting from Vienna, Austria, Giorgi promised him he would make Davit’s trip to Illinois unforgettable.
Giorgi, an Illinois freshman, kept up with his promise, scoring 35 points in Illinois’ 99-94 overtime win against Rutgers at the State Farm Center on Saturday to sweep a three-game homestand.
“For me family is everything,” Giorgi said. “I would do anything for my family.”
______________________________________
The Illini family is proud to have GB and he has been a GREAT BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN STAGNANT FOR TOO LONG !
In the final game of three that Davit saw Giorgi in person while visiting from Vienna, Austria, Giorgi promised him he would make Davit’s trip to Illinois unforgettable.
Giorgi, an Illinois freshman, kept up with his promise, scoring 35 points in Illinois’ 99-94 overtime win against Rutgers at the State Farm Center on Saturday to sweep a three-game homestand.
“For me family is everything,” Giorgi said. “I would do anything for my family.”
______________________________________
The Illini family is proud to have GB and he has been a GREAT BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN STAGNANT FOR TOO LONG !
Haven't seen Giorgi take the 12-15 ft shot that Mav developed his senior year as did LB. I believe he will get there as well as a three point shot with those soft hands. The problem with that, however, is he may not be a four year player with those skills as he also may be a draft choice. He will need those skills playing with Kofi and the increased defensive attention he will be getting. That defensive attention should open up shots for Kipper, Aaron, and Tevian as a result.
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
Not sure if Rutgers was playing extra hard for their coach yesterday or not - but it seemed like every tough shot they took went in and up until the end (which took down their percent) seemed to be making 3s at a higher clip than on average. And it really looked more like street ball offense more than anything else. I haven't watched them much this year but the scouting was a slowed down 1/2 court offense - which they completely abandoned yesterday.
They played well - and had a few breakout performances. We played well and had one over the top performance by Giorgi (assisted by RU's refusal to play post D of course - but you take what the D gives you).
And what key pickups both Adonis and Dre were in the off season - absolute homerun additions to this team.
They played well - and had a few breakout performances. We played well and had one over the top performance by Giorgi (assisted by RU's refusal to play post D of course - but you take what the D gives you).
And what key pickups both Adonis and Dre were in the off season - absolute homerun additions to this team.