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Thursday, July 26
Updated: July 27, 10:36 AM ET
Team preview: Illinois Fighting Illini
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 27-8; 13-3 in Big Ten (t1st)
Final Ranking: No. 6 ESPN/USA Today; No. 4 AP
Postseason: Lost to Arizona 87-81 in Midwest Regional final.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. How can the Illini replace the toughness of Sergio McClain and Marcus Griffin? Will it come from Lucas Johnson? Is he enough?
2. How will Frank Williams handle the expectations of repeating his Big Ten player of the year performance? How will he deal with the pressure and the need to be the first option for the Illini?
3. Can Brian Cook have the breakthrough season the Illini demand? He's essentially given up on being a dominant low-post player and is much more of a finesse player, but can the Illini get by without him giving them more inside?
Three Key Facts
1. Blandon Ferguson, a junior college signee, is among the finalists for the U.S. team that will compete in the Tournament of the Americas. The team features the best players from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The team will conduct training camp Aug. 8-13 at Vincennes University (Ind.) and the squad will be pared down to 10. The 10-member team will compete in the COPABA Tournament of the Americas that is being held Aug. 15-26 in Neuquen, Argentina.
2. The Illini held opponents to 38.7-percent shooting from the field in Big Ten play, second only to Indiana. Under Bill Self's defensive schemes, Illinois held Michigan to just 13 field goals in a game, which tied an Assembly Hall record for fewest field goals. On offense, the Illini led the league in 3-point shooting, making 39 percent from beyond the arc in conference games.
3. Bill Self's smooth recruiting style was in full effect last season. Luther Head, an explosive 6-3 guard from Manley High in Chicago, is Illinois' first Public League signee in seven years.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Illini are right back where they were, going for a Big Ten title and competing for a Final Four berth.
Worst case: Finish second in the Big Ten and lose before the second weekend of the tournament.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Frank Williams
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Jr.
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G
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6-3/205
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PTS: 14.9 | REB: 3.7 | AST: 4.4
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Brian Cook
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Jr.
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F
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6-10/240
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PTS: 11.2 | REB: 6.1 | AST: 1.2
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Cory Bradford
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Sr.
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G
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6-3/200
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PTS: 9.9 | REB: 2.5 | AST: 1.8
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Robert Archibald
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Sr.
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C
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6-11/250
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PTS: 7.2 | REB: 4.6 | AST: 0.6
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Marcus Griffin
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F
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6-9/235
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PTS: 11.3 | REB: 6.0 | AST: 2.2
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Sergio McClain
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F
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6-4/230
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PTS: 7.5 | REB: 5.5 | AST: 2.9
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Illinois Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Luther Head
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G
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6-3
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Chicago/Manley H.S.
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Roger Powell
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F
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6-6
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Joliet, Ill./Joliet H.S.
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Blandon Ferguson
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F
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6-3
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Oakland, Calif./St. Joseph Notre Dame H.S./College of Southern Idaho
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