Illini picked sixth in pre-season basketball poll

SHARE Illini picked sixth in pre-season basketball poll

Illinois was picked sixth in a poll of 24 Big Ten writers, two from each school, released Wednesdayl. The speak-no-evil Big Ten will only announce the league’s top three teams when athletes and coaches gather in Chicago Thursday for Big Ten basketball media day.Ohio State, a popular Final Four pick, received all 24 first-place votes.Beyond the Buckeyes, Michigan, which finished strong last season, joins Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue, which have a set a high standard in recent years, in what’s expected to be the upper tier.Whether Illinois can crack that group, and make itself into an NCAA tournament team, will depend on developing a go-to core. With senior mainstays Demetri McCamey, Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis gone, Bruce Weber is hoping for big production from junior guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul, and sophomore big man Meyers Leonard.Team, total points (range of predictions) 1. Ohio State, 288 (1) 2. Wisconsin, 248 (2-5) 3. Michigan, 233 (2-6) 4. Michigan State, 219 (2-6) 5. Purdue, 194 (2-9) 6. Illinois, 150 (4-9) 7. Minnesota, 142 (3-10) 8. Northwestern, 115 (6-11) 9. Indiana, 111 (5-12)10. Iowa, 86 (6-12)11. Nebraska, 60 (8-11)12. Penn State, 26 (11-12)

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.