Illinois Basketball Media Day - John Groce press conference

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Watch Live: John Groce Media Day Presser (3:45 pm CT)

Illinois men's basketball coach John Groce will preview the upcoming season on Wednesday at his media day press conference. Watch it live at 3:45 pm CT.

http://www.fightingillini.com/allaccess/?media=339612

joekam · Oct 10, 2012, 01:58 PM

Is photog still around and will be posting pics?

GeorgiaIllini · Oct 10, 2012, 02:05 PM

Do you think somewhere in his remakrs that he'll promise they won't be as bad as the football team?? :laugh:

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:41 PM

Press conference about to commence-

http://www.fightingillini.com/allaccess/?media=339612

mdonsbach · Oct 10, 2012, 02:44 PM

if you want credentials apply at www.fightingillini.com/media

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:52 PM

I do believe that's Herb Gould breathing like Darth Vader into the speaker.

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Groce says the guys have bought in collectively. Very excited to work with this group. Talks about 4 seniors and abrams as leaders

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

#illini Groce: players' "attitude and effort has been off the charts." Along with s seniors, Tracy Abrams has steped up as leader

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Talks about player improvements in skills and strength. Have had 16 workouts since the spring. Usage of the summer has prepared them.

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:57 PM

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

#illini Groce: have to replace Leonard "by committee." McLaurin playing best bball now, feeling more comfortable here. Is a versatile 4/5

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

Quote:

Groce talking about challenges in the interior... replacing Meyers Leonard "by committee." #Illini @IlliniHoops

http://twitter.com/MattLoveless

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Concern about loss of meyers. Fortunate to get Sam mclaurin...replacing meyers by committee...not a lot of experience in frontcourt

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Groce says his biggest concern for the #Illini basketball team is ball handling.

http://twitter.com/MattLoveless

Quote:

Need multiple ball handlers...that's the biggest issue. May not be able to play as fast right now due to lack of ball handlers

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Groce said he wants transfer forward Sam McLaurin (6'8) to learn the 4 and 5 spots. Said he likes his versatility.

http://twitter.com/AustinKKim

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

#illini Groce: inexperienced up front but "have bodies," big concern is lack of ballhandlers, may not be able to play as fast as he wants

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Wants to wear people out with a 94 foot game.

If you don't have great leadership from the players then the coaches have to step up. Voting for captains on october 20th.

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Groce says they're putting past behind them. Called his team "teachable & coach able". #Illini

http://twitter.com/MattLoveless

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Groce on leadership: right now it's still too early to tell (who are the leaders). If no one is following you, you're not a leader.

http://twitter.com/AustinKKim

Quote:

Some of toughness is recruiting but groce thinks you can teach it in your culture. Some guys are seekers and some are avoiders.

Likes the matto points.

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Singled out nnanna egwu as going above and beyond. Hope that he gets to experience the dividends.

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Quote:

Groce: "Nnanna Egwu's the guy that's gone above and beyond." Said he hopes Egwu "sees the fruits of his labor."

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

ChitownIllini · Oct 10, 2012, 03:06 PM

I just love this guy. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to play for him.

illiniobserver22 · Oct 10, 2012, 03:08 PM

I loved the part from Groce about "Seekers and Avoiders". A great verbalization of something that everyone sees on the floor. Guys like Tisdale, Davis, Cole, McCamey were great players but were avoiders. Guys like Chet, Rayvonte, Abrams and Nunn are seekers. Looking forward to seeing our roster move more in that direction in the future.

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Egwu made 73 out of 100 3 pointers last week. Will move him around and won't stay in the post. Will make him a moving target.

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Quote:

Groce on Egwu: not old fashioned big man. Will be moved around. Ran a 5:20 mile and hit 70+/100 3's.

Groce: no personal agenda on size of a rotation. Would like it to be 9, but players play players.

http://twitter.com/AirMaxTane

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Likes to play 9 but has played 10 or 7 before. Wants to put best team out there. Players play players. Chart everything. Constant feedback.

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

illiniobserver22 · Oct 10, 2012, 03:12 PM

Love the stuff he's saying about PGs. "Being a lead guard is more than being 6 foot 1."

I am really liking everything he's saying.

Dan · Oct 10, 2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Says paul looked good yesterday running the point. Dj has been committed to improving ball handling. Much will fall to abrams though.

Doesn't want players to be overly cautious and afraid of mistakes. Says abrams wants to be a lead guard.

http://twitter.com/Sturdy32

Quote:

Groce: Abrams not only ballhandler. B. Paul had best ballhandling practice recently. Whole team has to improve ballhandling

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

Quote:

Groce on Guards: Paul and Richardson will have to handle as well. Walker has been helping them.

http://twitter.com/AirMaxTane

Oct 10, 2012, 01:58 PM	#2
joekam Posts: 1,462	Is photog still around and will be posting pics? __________________

Oct 10, 2012, 02:44 PM	#5
mdonsbach Location: Bethalto, IL Posts: 1,292	if you want credentials apply at www.fightingillini.com/media __________________ Twitter

Oct 10, 2012, 02:05 PM	#3
GeorgiaIllini Posts: 1,951	Do you think somewhere in his remakrs that he'll promise they won't be as bad as the football team?? :laugh:

Oct 10, 2012, 02:41 PM	#4
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 26,026	Press conference about to commence- http://www.fightingillini.com/allaccess/?media=339612

Oct 10, 2012, 02:52 PM	#6
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 26,026	I do believe that's Herb Gould breathing like Darth Vader into the speaker.

Oct 10, 2012, 02:57 PM	#10
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 26,026

Oct 10, 2012, 03:06 PM	#20
ChitownIllini Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 789	I just love this guy. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to play for him.

Oct 10, 2012, 03:08 PM	#21
illiniobserver22 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,414	I loved the part from Groce about "Seekers and Avoiders". A great verbalization of something that everyone sees on the floor. Guys like Tisdale, Davis, Cole, McCamey were great players but were avoiders. Guys like Chet, Rayvonte, Abrams and Nunn are seekers. Looking forward to seeing our roster move more in that direction in the future.

Oct 10, 2012, 03:12 PM	#24
illiniobserver22 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,414	Love the stuff he's saying about PGs. "Being a lead guard is more than being 6 foot 1." I am really liking everything he's saying.