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Beginning Monday, June 21st,
2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the
nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the
opening day of the 2004-05 Season.
Bookmark the
144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back
each day to see which team is previewed next.
#5 Illinois Fighting Illini
Big Ten
2003-04: 26-7, 13-3, 1st
2003-04 postseason: NCAA Sweet
Sixteen
By
Joel Welser
 The Illini return all eight
players who averaged over ten minute per game, including five starters.
That will make expectations high for a team that was first in the Big Ten
and reached the Sweet Sixteen last year. What will head coach Bruce Weber
do for his second year in Champaign?
Who’s Out: Aaron Spears and
Jerrance Howard aren’t big losses. Spears averaged 1.0 points in 20
outings, while Howard averaged 1.1 points in 18 contests. Coach Weber will
have the same options off the bench as a year ago and that should do wonders
for team chemistry from day one, while other clubs need to take some time to
adjust to their losses.
Who’s In: Shaun Pruitt was
considered the top prep big man in the state of Illinois last year. At 6-8
and 245 pounds, Pruitt is ready to see some minutes as a freshman. He has
gotten stronger in the off season and is a solid defender and can be
effective from the perimeter. Calvin Brock might have more trouble seeing
some playing time his freshman season. Brock , a 6-5 guard, will have to
compete with returnee Richard McBride for minutes off the bench backing up
one of the best backcourts in the nation of Dee Brown, Deron Williams and
Luther Head. Brock averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds last year at Simeon
High School in Chicago. He’ll be an impact player before his career his
over, but he may redshirt this year to gain more strength and experience.
Who to Watch: There is no
question about the talent of the backcourt. It is the frontcourt that will
be the key for the Illini to make the short trip to St. Louis. Roger Powell
is expected to start alongside James Augustine with Nick Smith, Brian
Randle, Jack Ingram and Warren Carter being the first options off the
bench. That is a deep frontcourt, but mostly unproven. Randle could have a
breakout year as a sophomore and move his way up Coach Weber’s depth chart.
Much of the frontcourt expectations will fall on junior Augustine. The
6-10, 230-pounder improved as a sophomore earning 9.6 points and a team high
7.3 rebounds per contest. Augustine still hasn’t reached his potential
though. He needs to work on his post moves and become a consistent threat
under the basket. Augustine has the tools to do so and that could make the
difference between a disappointing run in March and a trip to the Final
Four.
Projected Conference Rank:
A prolonged injury to Dee Brown or Deron Williams could be devastating, but
the Illini are deep enough to manage through some other injuries and win day
in and day out in the Big Ten. Another 1st place finish and Big
Ten Championship wouldn’t be surprising, but those in Champaign are thinking
bigger.
Projected Post-season
Tournament: NCAA
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Team #6 ,
Team #4 »
Email Joel Welser:
jwelser_chn@ameritech.net
Chat About CHN's Top #144
Ranking:
http://pub14.ezboard.com/fcollegehoopsnetfrm8
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