Doug Mills entered his fourth year as the head coach of the Fighting Illini with high hopes as well as a player with national prominence.

William "Bill" Hapac was the program's first consensus first-team All-American as recognized by the NCAA.

During the 1939-40 season, he became the first-ever recipient of the University of Illinois Athlete of the Year award.

In addition to his success on the hardwood, Hapac also was a three-year letterwinner for the Illini baseball team.

The Illini also featured a starting lineup of John Drish at the center position and Harold Shapiro, Joe Frank, and William Hapac at forward and Victor Wukovits and future major league baseball player Walter Evers at the guard spot.