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Illinois Basketball: Five Head Coach Candidates to Replace John Groce

By Eric Bruce

Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run on the court before a basketball game against the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Illinois won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run on the court before a basketball game against the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Illinois won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack talks with the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack talks with the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 Chris Mack

Mack coaches the Xavier Musketeers and he does a damn good job of it.  His overall record is 163-77.  Xavier just fell out of the top 25 after losing at home to No. 2 Villanova on Saturday, but they’ll be back and they’ll be in the tournament despite losing superstar guard Edmund Sumner to an ACL injury.  Sumner averaged 15 points per game and had 91 rebounds when Xavier lost him in December.

Since taking over the Musketeers in 2010, Mack, age 47, has steered them to the tournament every year except one, including three Sweet 16 appearances.  Lunardi has the Musketeers as a 7 seed right now.  I think that will go up a little before Selection Sunday.

Mack is an excellent coach who also recruits very well. He has had a top 25 class in four of his eight years of recruiting, including a top 15 class coming in next year (actually No. 10 according to 247, just ahead of Illinois). And his recruits are from all over the country, which tells me he is probably well acquainted with the AAU circuit.

From what I reviewed, Mack could be persuaded. However, Xavier is an excellent basketball school with a very good reputation for success. They are also in the Big East which has proven, after exploding and reforming in 2013, to be a real basketball force.  There is no doubt that, in general, the Big Ten is better, but is Illinois a good enough opportunity to pull Mack away from his hometown and the school where he played college ball and now has the honor of coaching?

Speaking of Mack’s hometown, this leads us to my number one choice.

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