Illinois Basketball: Top 3 Illini teams of the 2010s

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 7: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots the ball over Jordan Hulls #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on February 7, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated No. 1 ranked Indiana 74-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Brandon Paul’s last ride

As previously mentioned, the Illinois basketball program went through some changes during the 2010s. One of the major changes was the replacement of Bruce Weber with John Groce.

Groce came from Ohio University where he had taken the Bobcats deep into the NCAA tournament. This seemed like a solid hire at the time, but it would later prove to be one that would set the program back years.

Despite the deficiencies of Groce, the Illini had a really good team in the first year of his tenure. The 2012-13 campaign was one that all Illinois fans remember and will always remember. This team had talent and showed it throughout.

Illinois didn’t start the season off ranked, but they quickly jumped onto the national radar with a 12-0 start to the season. This 12-game winning streak also featured a victory over No. 10 Gonzaga. After win No. 12, the Illini cracked the top 10, reaching the No. 10 spot nationally.

There were some hiccups down the stretch for the Orange and Blue, though. Two different three-game losing streaks dropped the program back out of the top 25. But that is when it happened, the game that will live in Illini legend for the rest of time.

Illinois was tied with No. 1 Indiana with 0.9 seconds left. Brandon Paul was inbounding the ball in the corner. Tyler Griffey sets a screen and rolls to the basket. Paul finds Griffey for the game-winning layup as time expires. I get goosebumps and misty-eyed just thinking about it.

After that win against the No. 1 team in the country, Illinois would then beat No. 18 Minnesota. These two victories propelled the Illini to the NCAA tournament as the No. 7 seed.

In round one, the Illini were able to take down No. 10 Colorado. Paul led the way with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. He had a complete game and was huge for this program. Sadly, thanks to some bad officiating, the Illini would fall in the second round to No. 2 Miami (FL).

This was such a talented and deep team for Illinois. Paul was the leader as a senior, averaging 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game that season. Illinois also had DJ Richardson who put up 12.3 points per game as well.

Illinois had a special team for that 2012-13 campaign. The Groce era started off with a bang. I would put this team as the second-best team of the 2010s.

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