Illini undergo mental makeover

Groce exudes confidence. He commands the room during press conference, even when the microphone speakers aren't on. Ask him a question about point guards and he'll give you an intricate, two-minute explanation of what he asks out of the position. He's a man with a well-articulated, well-organized plan for every day of work. He's confident in it - and it appears to have rubbed off on his players.

"Confidence is something that is earned," Groce said. "I wish I could wave a magic wand over a guy's head and say, 'You're confident!' I think what happens because of how hard they worked, what they've put into this thing starting last spring, this summer, this fall; the fact that they're collective buy into the unselfishness and effort piece on a daily basis I think is growing. They're starting to understand that that allows you to be more consistent."

Jeremy Werner