Illinois Fighting Illini (20-14, 9-9)
Made the third round of the NCAA Tournament (lost to Kansas 73-59).
Coach Bruce Weber (193-86 at Illinois) returns for his ninth year leading the Fighting Illini.
Projected starting five:
Jr. G D.J. Richardson (Only returning starter)
Jr. G Brandon Paul
Sr. G Sam Maniscalco
So. C Meyers Leonard
Jr. F Tyler Griffey
Important departures:
Demetri McCamey: 14.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.1 apg, 45.1 percent from 3-point range
Mike Davis: 12.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Mike Tisdale: 10.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.6 blocks per game
Bill Cole: 4.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Additions:
Fr. PG Tracy Abrams (Rivals.com four-star player)
Fr. C Nnanna Egwu (Rivals.com four-star player)
Fr. SF Mycheal Henry (Rivals.com four-star player)
Fr. PF Mike Shaw (Rivals.com four-star player)
Outlook:
Oh boy, where to start. Illinois lost four of five starters from last year’s surprisingly successful season. Those players accounted for more than 69 percent of the team’s rebounding and scoring. With D.J. Richardson being the last man standing, the Fighting Illini will have to do just that — fight tooth and nail to have any chance at duplicating the success of last season. The primary addition to the team is the lack of coaching turnover. Weber is firmly entrenched at the school after leading them to multiple tournament appearances, and his staff of veteran coaches gives hope that the fresh players added to the roster will have success sooner or later – albeit most likely later.
Schedule highlights:
Illinois has a very unimpressive nonconference schedule. A brief brush with Maryland early is the only game that could be considered a highlight. A run-in with Ohio State in late February will give this team a real challenge heading into the Big Ten Tournament.
