Illinois Basketball: John Groce Has Something To Prove in 2016
The last few seasons for the Illinois basketball team have been rough.
Missing the NCAA Tournament is not something we are used to as fans of this great program.
Since John Groce took over for Bruce Weber in 2013, the program hasn’t exactly trended in the direction we were all hoping it would.
The first year was great with a tournament run that fell just short of the Sweet 16. But, since then the Illini have floundered for one reason or another.
Many blame the last few seasons of losing on injuries and while I used to be against using that as an excuse, you can’t stray away from the facts.
Illinois has dealt with some serious injury problems and then that transformed into off-court issues that probably had Groce with one foot out the door when new Athletic Director Josh Whitman entered the program.
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And now with a healthy team, finally, and a killer class of 2017 coming in next season, Groce has something to prove to this faithful fan base.
Groce needs to start winning plain and simple. He has been given a pass by fans for the injuries and has been given a second life, despite the off-court issues, by Whitman.
This season is where everything needs to change. Illinois needs to make the NCAA Tournament and continue progressing as a program.
Since 1913, Groce has the third lowest winning percentage, 55.8-percent, in the history of the Illinois basketball program. He is only ahead of Gene Bartow, 30.8-percent, and Harv Schmidt, 53.6-percent.
But, 2016 could be the start of something special. For the sake of Groce and his future, I think it has to be a good season as well.
Expectations are high for Groce and I hope he lives up to them. It is NCAA Tournament or bust this season for this basketball team.
I think the Illini will make the postseason and possibly advance to at least the second round this year.
But, one thing is for sure. Groce has to show up this season and start winning basketball games.
There is way too much healthy talent on this team to miss a fourth straight NCAA Tournament.
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