Illini, Groce not looking to compare seasons
December 11, 2012 7:51 AM
Last season, Illinois and former coach Bruce Weber opened the year with 10 consecutive wins and moved up to No. 19 in the AP poll. Beginning with a 16-point loss to UNLV in Chicago, the Illini lost 15 of their last 22 games, failed to reach the NCAA tournament and Weber was fired.
On Saturday, Groce and Illini defeated previously ranked No. 10 Gonzaga 85-74 on the road to improve to 10-0. Illinois jumped from No. 13 to No. 10 in the AP poll on Monday and are one of 14 remaining undefeated teams.
"I haven't heard them talking about it," Groce said of comparing the two seasons. "I haven't certainly talked to them about it at this juncture and maybe in large part of it is I wasn't here last year and don't have relevance to that.
"We've tried the best we can to just kind of focus on the 2012-2013 season and leave all of that in the rear view mirror as something we can't control. I haven't heard them talking about it and I haven't."
Scott Powers
On Saturday, Groce and Illini defeated previously ranked No. 10 Gonzaga 85-74 on the road to improve to 10-0. Illinois jumped from No. 13 to No. 10 in the AP poll on Monday and are one of 14 remaining undefeated teams.
"I haven't heard them talking about it," Groce said of comparing the two seasons. "I haven't certainly talked to them about it at this juncture and maybe in large part of it is I wasn't here last year and don't have relevance to that.
"We've tried the best we can to just kind of focus on the 2012-2013 season and leave all of that in the rear view mirror as something we can't control. I haven't heard them talking about it and I haven't."
Scott Powers
Filed under: Illini Basketball
