Illini to meet Butler in Maui title game

"It's a great opportunity," Groce said of the chance to square off with a Butler program that reached the national championship game in 2010 and 2011. "They are really well coached, really tough. They are an older team, our guys are older and we're looking forward to the challenge.

"Brad and I are really good friends. I have a great respect for him not only as a coach but as a person. Usually we talk a lot of Xs and Os but we decided not to this season until we got through this. I'm awful proud of what he's been able to accomplish."

Tupper