Fourth would be pretty good.
In an unofficial preseason poll of Big Ten teams from a few dozen reporters and The Columbus Dispatch, Illinois is projected to finish fourth, behind Purdue, Michigan State and Maryland.
The Boilers and Spartans were the only teams to receive a first-place vote.
Seniors Terrence Shannon Jr. (First Team) and Coleman Hawkins (Second Team) are also projected to be among the league’s best players.
Purdue’s Zach Edey — yes, he’s back — is projected to be the league’s player of the year. No surprise there.
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood took part in Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday in Minneapolis, and he was high on his squad.