No. 3 Illinois, with 5 key players back on the roster, reloads for another run at the Final Four

Expectations are high at Illinois after a season in which the Illini made their first Final Four appearance in 21 years, compiled the fourth-most wins in school history and finished second behind national champion Michigan in the Big Ten. Illinois Fighting Illini basketballLast Year's Record: 28-9, 15-5 Big TenLast Year's Finish: Final Four, lost to UConnIllinois is ranked No. 3 in AP’s Top 25 preseason poll, matching the second-highest preseason rank in program history.Players to watchFive rotation players are back from last year’s team. They are preseason All-Big Ten players David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic, Jake Davis and 7-foot twins Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic. Mirkovic, who averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists last year in his freshman season, will miss the start of the season because of a left foot injury in July. He underwent surgery in early August. Stojakovic averaged 13.5 points last year and shot 50% from the field.Departures and arrivalsGone is leading s