I think the key is that they don't have to be as good as the guys going out, to remain in the race for a B1G title. Everyone else on the roster should improve. I think Kofi ill be a B1G POY candidate. Trent, DMFW, Giorgi, Hutch, Grand will wall be 3rd and 4th year players. Experience matters, and this will be the most veteran team the Illini have had in quite a few years.Their games are quite different. In terms of impact, that's a very high bar. If they can come close, we're cooking with gas.
This is not to say I'm not excited about the freshmen, but they don't have to play program savior. The program is on solid footing.