Meet the Big Ten: Illinois

Illini coach Bill Self does not agree with the Big Ten preseason media poll -- he said he thinks his team should be ranked lower. \n"I don't think there are many expectations for us this year," he said. "The media picking us third, that's a shock to me because I didn't think we'd be that high."\nWhether he believes that, or is merely trying to psyche up his young squad, is open to speculation. But the fact is that he has an incoming recruiting class ranked No. 5 in the nation by Athlon Sports and an All-America candidate in senior forward Brian Cook.\nCook has battled inconsistency during his career at Illinois, but his numbers have risen each season. Last year he averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection\nThe Illini will be without last year's point guard and undisputed team leader, Frank Williams, who was a first-round pick in the NBA draft last summer. The team also lost sharpshooter Corey Bradford and low-post workhorse Robert Archibald to graduation.\nBut highly touted freshman Dee Brown will have a chance to start at the point and explosive sophomore shooting guard Luther Head will see increased playing time. Freshman Deron Williams will also push for minutes in the backcourt. \nSelf also brought in a new crop of big men, headed by forward Aaron Spears who averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and three assists per game as a high school senior.