URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The stars have returned to Champaign. Now, it's up to the new man on the Illinois sideline who every school with a coaching vacancy coveted last spring to make sure they're properly aligned.

The Illini got the coach they wanted to replace Lon Kruger in Tulsa's Bill Self. His job is to turn the hype surrounding his Illini into victories. He has the players to accomplish exactly that, beginning with the nucleus of center Brian Cook, point guard Frank Williams and shooting guard Cory Bradford.

Bradford played against the Olympians in Hawaii in September, got his time on NBC and against NBA players. Cook received pub for playing in Brazil during the U.S. run to the silver medal at the Under 20 tournament. And Williams finally feels at ease at the position and in Illinois.

	“	The expectations are higher than they've ever been here. We've got everything going for us, we've gotten stronger, and more patient and hopefully we've learned things from last year. ”
		— Cory Bradford, Illinois junior guard

Illinios will be tested early and often, playing one of the hardest schedules in the country that puts them in marquee games in Maui against UNLV, possibly Maryland and then either Arizona or Connecticut. That's all before Duke in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in Greensboro, N.C.; Seton Hall at home; Arizona in Chicago; Missouri in St. Louis; and at Texas.

All that before the Big Ten and two games against Michigan State.

So, what's holding this team back? Nothing.

"The team chemistry wasn't there last year at this time, but this year we're all on the same page," Bradford said Sunday during ESPN.com's preseason tour.

The chemistry was shaken by an undercurrent on the team that Williams and Kruger (now coaching the Atlanta Hawks) didn't always mesh. Williams and Self are tight, so far. If that continues, the team should thrive.

"The expectations are higher than they've ever been here," Bradford said. "We've got everything going for us, we've gotten stronger, and more patient and hopefully we've learned things from last year."

But there are changes on the court.

Self is applying his style of tough, extended man-to-man defense first, freedom to shoot and run on offense second. Fewer set plays means a big man like Cook can be further from the basket without having to hunker down in the post. The feeling is an opponent's defense could get spread thinner if Cook is out away from the basket, freeing up shooters like Bradford or a playmaker like Williams.

"Everyone is looking aggressively to score now," Bradford said. "We're communicating well on defense and that's creating our offense. Last year, we were more set and this year we'll take the open shots if we have them. We can be more physical as long as we do it without fouling, bumping or grabbing."

Self had a smaller, more explosive athlete at Tulsa. The Illini are stronger and longer.

"I want them to run," Self said. "I watched Tark's teams at Vegas and they shot quickly but they played hard defensively. If our guys have their man beat, they don't have to set it back up and reload. Take it.

	Cory Bradford already feels more comfortable in the system put into place by new Illinois head coach Bill Self.

"Now, not everyone has the green light. Eric Coley had the green light at Tulsa, but he knew his role was not to shoot it all the time."

Getting Williams to pull back on his shooting hand is crucial. Making Cook be more assertive with his is a must.

Williams shot 31 percent from behind the 3-point arc last year, and 38 percent overall. If he can be the playmaker who simply pushes the ball and takes the openings when he has them, the Illini will be better for it. Bradford said Williams tended to make the same mistakes twice, but has improved his decision-making skills from a year ago.

Cook maximized his minutes last year by averaging nine points and five rebounds in 18 minutes a game. But the 6-foo-10 sophomore said he never felt comfortable being in a subordinate role.

"I have to be more intense in everything I do," said Cook, who spent Sunday icing a swollen left ankle. "I was just out there last year. In high school, I was the guy taking all the shots. But I came in here with this talent and I didn't get every shot. I've got to get my points other ways."

Cook has the touch to go deep and can run the floor with any big man in the country. He should benefit in the wide-open style by getting easy transition baskets. The push is in place for fellow forwards like Marcus Griffin, Robert Archibald -- who is actually home in Scotland this week getting another visa -- Lucas Johnson and Damir Krupalija to get on the break as much as possible.

"All our big men are versatile, can shoot and do a lot of things, making it hard to guard them," Bradford said.

But the Illini still has to develop an identity.

Will they be another Tulsa, a team that is tough to put out and keeps coming back and back?

Will this be Bradford's team, one that he takes over by slashing to the basket or knocking down the big 3-pointer?

Can Cook carry the team inside and out?

Will it be Williams' team from the point where he runs the show like Duke's Jason Williams, able to put up a double-double in points and assists?

"Can we be very good? Absolutely," Self said. "Can we be a team that doesn't win as many games because of our schedule early? Absolutely. I don't want our guys to feel like we have to be picture perfect by Thanksgiving because of our schedule. I have the same expectations as everyone else does for us, but later in the year.

"I thought we were one of those teams last year (at Tulsa) that could win the title. It's too early to say here. I don't know what this team will hang its hat on. There's a new philosophy and a new personality. It'll take time to find it ourselves."

But if they do, the Illini has the personnel, the attitude and the coach to make a Final Four run.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.