Oct. 27, 2004

Defending champion Illinois has been selected as the preseason Big Ten favorite for the 2004-05 men's basketball season, as voted upon by members of the media attending Big Ten Men's Basketball Media Day. Michigan State and Wisconsin, who finished tied for second place in last year's League standings, are ranked second and third, respectively.

The Illini return all five of their starters for the first time since the 2000-01 season. Illinois boasted a 26-7 overall record in 2003-04, while claiming its first outright conference title in 52 seasons with a record of 13-3. Under first-year head coach Bruce Weber, the Illini also advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals, marking the program's third Sweet 16 appearance in the past four years.

Illinois' Deron Williams was tabbed Preseason Player of the Year after leading the league in assists (6.17 pg) for the second straight season. He is just the third Big Ten player ever to lead the conference in assists in each of his first two seasons, joining an elite list that includes Michigan State's Magic Johnson (1978-79) and Illinois' Bruce Douglas (1983-84). Williams also finished among the League's top 10 in scoring (14.0 pg), three-point field goal percentage (.394) and three point field goals made (2.54 pg) last season while earning First Team All-Big Ten honors.

With Williams honored this year, it marks the fifth consecutive season that Illinois has claimed at least a share of Preseason Player of the Year honors. Current teammate Dee Brown was honored last year, preceded by Brian Cook in 2002, Frank Williams in 2001 and Cory Bradford in 2000.

Joining Williams on the Big Ten Preseason All-Conference team are Brown, Indiana's Bracey Wright, Michigan State's Paul Davis and Wisconsin's Mike Wilkinson. Davis joins Williams as the only first team returnees from last season, while Brown, Wright and Wilkinson were named to the second team. Brown, Wilkinson and Williams also claimed 2004 All-Big Ten Tournament honors.