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Illinois Basketball: Five things John Groce has done well

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce speaks with the media during Big Ten media day at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce speaks with the media during Big Ten media day at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Points per game improvement

When John Groce took over the Illinois basketball team he inherited some decent talent from the previous regime. That talent had a solid ability to score as well.

In Groce’s first season the Illini averaged 68.5 points per game. This was lower than the previous year but under a new head coach, there is time for adjustment. Brandon Paul led the way that season with 16.6 PPG.

The following season the team took a dip in scoring, though. They sunk to 64.2 PPG and the team missed the postseason. Illinois had lost a lot of their point production from the year before but still had a great scorer in Rayvonte Rice who averaged 15.9 PPG.

After the second season under Groce, the Illini have increased their point production each season.

In year three Illinois averaged 69.1 PPG once again led by Rice with 16.5 PPG. Last season they bumped that up to 72.1 PPG in a disappointing and injury filled campaign. This was Malcolm Hill’s coming out party with 18.1 PPG. If only the Illini could have played defense.

And this year under Groce Illinois is averaging the most points per game since the national championship run back in 2005. The Illini are averaging 72.3 PPG this season and Hill has once again led the way with 17.2 PPG.

Illinois has been able to score at a decent clip for much of Groce’s tenure with the program. He has also improved the points per game average in each of the last three seasons.

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