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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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Illinois v. Michigan March 14, 2014

In Groce’s second season at the helm of the Illini, he hit a wall after a great 13-2 start. This team was destined for the postseason but they then went on an eight-game losing streak.

This losing skid dropped the team to 13-10 overall and they then finished the regular season 18-13. The team won down the stretch, much like this season, but couldn’t get it done in the Big Ten tournament.

Illinois needed at least two wins in the Big Ten tournament to hit that 20 win mark and have a chance at the postseason. They won the first game against Indiana by 10 points and then had a matchup with a stout Michigan program who was ranked No. 8 in the nation.

The Illini had the lead with under a minute to go. If they could just pull this game off then the season could be completely different. That is when Jordan Morgan made a layup with 11-seconds remaining to go up 64-63.

Illinois then inbounded after a timeout and Tracy Abrams missed a jump shot and the game was over. The Illini fell to the Wolverines and had a date with the NIT in the second season under Groce.

The main reason that this game is one of the top five games in Groce’s career is because if they just win this game they are likely in the NCAA tournament. The drought of missed postseasons isn’t as long and I think he would get another year no matter what.

But, the game ended with an Illini loss and a tournament berth is not on the resume of Groce.

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