Football M Col. More Sports Baseball-min. 8 Illinois 8. The Illini have everyone returning but added super coach Bill Self.
Self can seemingly do no wrong after last season's Elite Eight run for Tulsa.
His players sing his praise, especially with his ability to get them to play harder defensively and as one. Illinois needs an infusion like that on the bench. The Illini have the talent to win the title with Frank Williams at the point, Cory Bradford at shooting guard, Marcus Griffin, Sergio McClain and Brian Cook up front. The starting five is athletic, tough defensively with a shot blocker in Cook in the middle, and has the potential to score in double figures at every position. If Williams can hold onto the ball and play with more patience, then the Illini figure to have their best chance for a Final Four berth since 1989.