Illinois opened last season with nine new faces on a roster of 15.

The team started hot, later endured an eight-game losing streak and settled for a spot in the National Invitation Tournament.

Illini coach John Groce (GROHS) says his expectations are higher this year.

He expects Illinois to score more than the 64.2 points a game it averaged last season after adding a proven scorer in transfer guard Ahmad Starks.

But Starks will be expected to pick up the slack at point guard. Starter Tracy Abrams is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right knee.

Guard and last season's leading scorer Rayvonte Rice says the team has a firm goal: It wants to return to the NCAA Tournament.