John Groce 12/6 teleconference

[Dan]

Groce: Film confirmeed they didn't play well vs. WCU. Credits bench for being "All-Stars" in roles. Young guys stepped up.

Groce: Gonzaga is "well-rounded." "I don't know if they have a weakness." They have depth, skill, athleticism, play hard, efficient

Groce: Concerned about Gonzaga's rebounding. "Great on glass, great in the post." Use three-point shot efficiently

Groce: I can see why people say this is one of Few's best teams

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

Groce: Credits bench guys coming off the bench being all-stars. Younger guys answered the bell against Western Carolina.

Groce: Gonzaga is "well-rounded" don't know if they have a weakness. Depth, skill, athleticism, play hard.

Groce: Concerned about their rebounding, they're great in post, use three-point shot effectively with Bell and Pangos.

http://twitter.com/MarcusJ_NG

Groce on Gonzaga: "I just don't know if they have a weakness."

http://twitter.com/MattLoveless

[Dan]

Groce on Gonzaga's 7-footers: "USC had great size, Hawaii had great size, but Gonzaga has more of them." #Illini

http://twitter.com/MattLoveless

Groce: Experience of playing at Hawaii will be beneficial when playing at Gonzaga.

Groce: Elias Harris is a terrific player. Looks like a pro on film. Capable of making shots. Energy, motor, drives the ball.

Groce: Depth of Gonzaga's front line will be best they've played against. USC and Hawaii had great size but Gonzaga is deeper.

http://twitter.com/MarcusJ_NG

Groce: Harris provides "tremendous challenge" for Illini. "Looks like a pro" on film. Energy, motor. Plays best when best is needed

Groce: Gonzaga has best depth on frontline that Illinois has played. Great size, like USC and Hawaii. Gonzaga has more of them

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

[Dan]

Groce: Watched last year's game vs. Gonzaga. UI has diff style of play, but certain things you can take from it on personnel

Groce: We've got to play with that same toughness, togetherness, energy level (as Maui) on Saturday if they want to win.

Groce: "I think every game's a measuring stick." Zags next on schedule, but will learn more. Season never defined by just 1 game

Groce: Our system's going to be tested at a high level. I'm looking forward to seeing system tested against high quality team.

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

Groce: Every game is a measuring stick. This one is next, so it's most important.

Groce: Season is never defined by just one game, much bigger picture. It's a great challenge, guys are excited.

Groce: If you make errors and mistakes, great teams will expose you. Looking forward to seeing where system is.

http://twitter.com/MarcusJ_NG

[IlliniByProxy]

Hmm wonder if the personnel quote is in regards to Ibby's quality minutes against Sacre on defense last year.

[Dan]

Groce: Gonzaga is best offensive rebounding team to this point they have faced.

http://twitter.com/MarcusJ_NG

Asked about playing his strengths against Zags' weaknesses, Groce says Gonzaga has few flaws to attack. "We have to play well."

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

[Dan]

Rob McColley