Big Ten basketball: Best Case/Worst Case

The Illini do have talent. But with the exception of the newcomer Richmond, this is the same team that saw its defensive efficiency plummet in 2009-10, that lost a number of games to inferior opponents, and that limped to an NIT finish despite wins over Michigan State and at Wisconsin in back-to-back February performances. In other words: There are no guarantees of success here. Could Illinois win the Big Ten? Maybe. Just as likely, though, is the 2010-11 Illini finish fifth in the conference -- maybe worse -- on the way to an NCAA tournament bid, but an otherwise unremarkable season. Anything is on the table.

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