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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. Indiana February 7, 2013

This is a date all Illini fans remember. You can still picture where you were the day Tyler Griffey made that layup at the buzzer to beat the No. 1 ranked Indiana Hoosiers. It was one of the best days of my life.

Illinois came into that game losing six of their last seven contests. They were looking for answers after floundering to a record of 15-8. This game was a must-win and they pulled it off.

The magnitude of this win at face value was huge. Illinois not only took down the No. 1 team in the nation but it just happened to be the Hoosiers, one of the most hated rivals for the Illini.

But the big picture view of this win was even bigger. This team was on a massive skid and they beat the No. 1 team which sent them on a five-game winning streak.

Also, Illinois lost three out of their last four to end the year and that win over the No. 1 team might have been the tipping point for the Illini to get into the NCAA tournament.

Next: Strategy for beating the Michigan State Spartans

This win was arguably the biggest game in Groce’s time at Illinois. If he didn’t win this game he might not have been to the postseason with the Illini program.

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