Record: 14-4 (3-2 Big Ten)

Coach: Bill Self

Key Players: PG Frank Williams, F Brian Cook, C Robert Archibald

Illinois had high expectations coming into the 2001-02 basketball season. The Fighting Illini had last season’s Big Ten player of the year Frank Williams returning, and they returned three starters and nine lettermen from the team that made the EliteEight last season, with the addition of high-flying guard Luther Head and forward Roger Powell. 7-foot-2 Nick Smith gave the squad some additional depth. Not only was another trip deep into the tournament a possibility; it was almost expected.

Early on though, Illinois’ difficult early-season schedule took its toll. After a 5-0 start, the Illini dropped two out of three games to tough Maryland and Arizona squads. The Illini then won six straight before dropping two out of their first three Big Ten games to Wisconsin and Purdue, both on the road.

Despite their slow conference start, the Illini are in no way out of the Big Ten race. A convincing win over Iowa, in which Illinois shut down dominating big man Reggie Evans, seems to have gotten the Illini back on track.

Williams is the main reason Illinois is still one of the favorites to advance deep into the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-2 junior, who will enter the NBA draft after this season, often completely takes over games with his ball distribution and ability to hit clutch shots.

Due to uneven Big Ten scheduling, Illinois won’t get to face off against Iowa again. Two games against both Michigan State and Indiana should provide the Illini with plenty of healthy competition before making what they hope are long runs into both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.