New coach John Groce looks as if he will be the 'right fit' for Illinois basketball

This is not going to be music to the ears of the Boom-Shaka-Laka crowd, who feverishly wanted Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas to take the basketball program higher with a more glamorous hire.

But I've thought John Groce was a smart choice since his name first surfaced during an angst-ridden coaching search.

And after spending some time with Groce on Monday, I'm even more encouraged with Thomas' selection of Groce, a former Ohio State assistant who spent his last four years as Ohio U. coach.

Herb Gould