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Illinois Basketball: 5 biggest games in John Groce’s Illini career

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 7, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce gives instructions to his team during a timeout during the second half of the game at Assembly Hall. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 96 to 80. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce gives instructions to his team during a timeout during the second half of the game at Assembly Hall. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 96 to 80. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce gives instructions to his team during a timeout during the second half of the game at Assembly Hall. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 96 to 80. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois basketball team has been through some important games since John Groce took over the program almost five years ago.

Here are the top five most important games since Groce became the head coach.

Illinois v. Michigan State – March 3, 2017

This game, win or lose, tonight against Michigan State is one of the biggest games in the career of John Groce. He either wins tonight and the team keeps on pushing for the postseason or they lose and he is on the hot seat with the likelihood of being fired.

Illinois comes into the game with a record of 17-12 overall and 7-9 in the Big Ten. They have amazed people with their recent winning streak they have been on the last three games.

The Illini still have to win against the Spartans and then beat Rutgers on the road the last game of the season. They will then need to beat whoever they play in the first round of the Big Ten tournament to have a realistic shot at making the dance.

I think it is possible for Illinois to pull off this feat because they do have veteran leadership and they seem to have momentum on their side.

Tonight will tell us one of two things. Will Groce thrive in the moment and the team beat Michigan State or will they flounder and miss the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight year? This is why the game is one of the biggest in his career.

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