By: Grant Labedz
No Illinois fan can deny that this season is quickly becoming worrisome.
Not only did the Illini lose to a struggling Michigan team on the road on Tuesday, but they blew a commanding 13 point lead to do so. That needs to change if Illinois wants any shot at making the tournament. As Illini fans, we know that we’re not going to win the National Championship. This is not the 2004-05 Fighting Illini squad, and we know that. But as Illinois fans, we look for John Groce to rebuild this program and eventually bring Illinois back into title contention, but another frustrating season looks as if it may leave Illinois with another NIT bid.
John Groce can certainly talk the talk, but the question is whether or not he can walk the walk. John Groce has repeatedly stated that this Illini team “hasn’t played its best basketball yet.” And that was a promising thing to hear after the second game of the season, a 114-56 rout of Coppin St. at home. But hearing that at this point in the season is leaving fans impatient. If Illinois hasn’t played its best basketball yet, then when are they going to start, and how can John Groce make that happen in order to avoid being situated on the ‘hot seat’?
For one, this team needs to learn how to win. Look back at the 2004-05 Fighting Illini. That team knew how to win. Losing one regular season game and the National Title Game, that team had grit and finished games like no other. The talent on this year’s team isn’t what it was 10 years ago, but that being said, they surely have enough talent to be one of the best teams in the nation. When everything comes together for Illinois, they’re one of the best teams in the nation and can compete with everyone, but Groce’s squad merely competes and doesn’t win.
In all four losses this season, this team has had a legitimate chance to win. In games against Villanova and Miami, the Illini trailed most of the time, but when they climbed right back into the game, they just ran out of gas. But why? What is it about this squad that leaves us so disappointed when we see key victories slip out of our hands? Surely it isn’t lack of leadership. This team has three seniors who Groce compliments for being vocal on and off the court. It can’t be talent, because Groce and most Illini fans agree this is one of the deepest Illinois teams in a number of year. So what needs to happen?
In this Ohio State game on Saturday, the Illini need to play each possession, offensive and defensive, regardless of the score. Illinois could be up 50 or down by 50, and the only way they’re going to succeed consistently is if they play each possession the same way. Fierce. Frisky. Smart. Tough. Together. Toughness and Togetherness are the two core principles that Groce preaches to his teams, and I haven’t seen a lot of that this year. Sure the Illini show up against weaker opponents, but this is the Big Ten. It’s time to step up.
The Buckeyes fall into a similar boat as the Illini. The Buckeyes have not recorded a good win this season and just dropped a difficult home game to the Hawkeyes in which they trailed the whole way. Thad Matta’s squad finds itself a top 25 team, but its best win is over a weak Marquette team. The Illini are more than capable of handing Ohio State a loss on Saturday. There is no doubt in my mind that the Illini have as much, if not more talent than this Buckeye team. Ohio State is led by freshman D’Angelo Russell with 17.4 points per game, but senior Rayvonte Rice can play with him if he shows up. He only logged 8 points against Michigan and went cold late in the game.
If the Illini show up for 40 minutes tomorrow, they will win this game, and this is a game they need to win. Even If they get off to a hot start and lead by double digits, don’t turn the TV off, because the Illini have blown a few leads this season already. Let’s have some faith in Groce (fingers crossed), and get this win tomorrow.
I-L-L
Prediction: Illinois 73 Ohio St. 70
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