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Illini's year? Williams and Co. top Big Ten's preseason projections
Updated: Monday October 29, 2001 12:16 PM CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois was picked to win the Big Ten this season, and Fighting Illini point guard Frank Williams was selected as the conference's top player in a poll of coaches and media. Illinois, which last year shared the Big Ten regular season title with Michigan State, got first-place votes from all 11 coaches and the majority of members of the media in results released Sunday. First-year coach Bill Self directed the Illini to one of the best seasons in school history last year, as they went 27-8 and got within one victory of the Final Four. "After last year, I can see why expectations are high," said Self, whose club returns three starters. "We have some nice returning players, but preseason predictions don't mean anything." Williams averaged 14.9 points and 4.4 assists last season and was selected the Big Ten's Player of the Year as a sophomore. This year he'll be asked to improve all aspects of his game. "I'm looking forward to doing more in a leadership role," said Williams, who will have to pick up the slack from forwards Sergio McClain and Marcus Griffin -- who finished their eligibility -- and Lucas Johnson, who is probably out for the year with a knee injury. "If we learned anything from last year, it's that we have to be even tougher," added Williams, who recently announced he would forego his senior season and opt for the NBA draft in June. Iowa, which won the Big Ten tournament last year under second-year coach Steve Alford, was picked second. Indiana, which fell to Iowa in the conference finals, was predicted third. The Spartans, who have been to the last three Final Fours, lost five key contributors and aren't expected by pollsters to get a fifth straight regular season Big Ten title. "We don't deserve to picked No. 1 and I understand it, because there are two teams head and shoulders above the rest," coach Tom Izzo said. "But I don't know if we deserve to be picked at three or four, either." The Hawkeyes return all-conference preseason picks Luke Recker and Reggie Evans. Forwards Jared Jeffries of Indiana and LaVell Blanchard of Michigan rounded out the preseason team.
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