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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Head Coach Candidates If Groce Is Gone

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 28, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jaylon Tate (1), guard Malcolm Hill (21), guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5), guard Kendrick Nunn (25), and center Maverick Morgan (22) look on from the court against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at State Farm Center. The Buckeyes won in overtime 68 to 63. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jaylon Tate (1), guard Malcolm Hill (21), guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5), guard Kendrick Nunn (25), and center Maverick Morgan (22) look on from the court against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at State Farm Center. The Buckeyes won in overtime 68 to 63. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jaylon Tate (1), guard Malcolm Hill (21), guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5), guard Kendrick Nunn (25), and center Maverick Morgan (22) look on from the court against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at State Farm Center. The Buckeyes won in overtime 68 to 63. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jaylon Tate (1), guard Malcolm Hill (21), guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5), guard Kendrick Nunn (25), and center Maverick Morgan (22) look on from the court against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at State Farm Center. The Buckeyes won in overtime 68 to 63. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois basketball coaching situation could get a little sticky here in the near future.

Next: Coach #5

There have been rumblings from fans and boosters that maybe it is time for a coaching change.  Who can blame them after a season that was lost by the beginning of January?

In addition to the miserable season, Leron Black was arrested.  That now makes 4 players who have been in trouble in the last 2 seasons for the Illini.

Trouble on the basketball court is one thing, but when you add in trouble off the basketball court it is a sign that change is needed.

Honestly, if Groce had been winning this season or any of the past 2 years things may be different right now.  But he isn’t winning.  In fact he is now on pace to miss his third straight NCAA Tournament with a decrease in wins every season.

So, if and when that time comes for Groce to exit stage left, there will need to be a replacement.

Getting a new coach is an exciting thing that will energize the fan base.  This new coach needs to be someone who has a winning spirit and has a proven track record of success on the court and in the recruiting ranks.

I previously put together a list of candidates that were former Illinois basketball players but I wanted to put a list of my top 5 overall candidates for the position.

Here are my top 5 candidates in order of who I would like as the next head coach of the Illinois basketball team.

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