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Illinois Basketball: Please do not play in the 2017 NIT

By Zachary Leslie

Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Maverick Morgan (22) grabs the ball over Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Maverick Morgan (22) grabs the ball over Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Illinois basketball team suffered a grueling loss at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines Thursday afternoon.

This loss effectively knocks the Illini out of the tournament and sets up a very interesting dilemma beyond the craziness that is the coaching situation. Should the Illini play in the NIT? I say heck no, and here is why.

Honestly, The Invite Is Embarrassing…

Throughout my life, I have considered the NIT to be an embarrassment. Especially, for a program with such a rich history like Illinois, it should be shameful to accept an invite to the NIT. Malcolm Hill, Tracy Abrams, and Maverick Morgan deserve more than a NIT invite.

This might sound harsh, but playing in the NIT is a disrespect to the careers of those three seniors in particular. Let’s be honest here. None of these guys want to play in the NIT, and I don’t blame them.

Attendance Won’t Be “Ideal”

There is no real smooth way to host a NIT game in the first place. Fans will be bitter, and the players don’t really care at the end of the day. There is also no guarantee anybody actually shows up either. I mean, it’s the freaking NIT.

All fans, coaches, and players know that this school and program deserves more, and playing a home NIT game will just frustrate more people.

How many people will fill the stands you ask? Well, I was at the McKendree game (DII school) and honestly, there might be less. Not only is the NIT invite embarrassing, but playing in front of an empty State Farm Center would be even worse.

Coaching Situation

I truly believe that if the Illini do indeed accept the tournament invite, John Groce is coaching this team next season. In my opinion, it makes no sense to let Walker or someone else coach this roster for one game.

So, I think if the decision is to fire Groce (it should be), then there will be no NIT played. I think that if for whatever reason Groce does stay, it shows that making the NIT is okay (it isn’t). Also, the Illini may not be all that better next season. If Groce is retained, we will be right back here next season as well.

Next: Final top 5 coaches to replace John Groce

In conclusion

Fire Groce. Do NOT play in the NIT. Simple.

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