I've been a long time lurker on this forum, and I have been an Illini fan for about 20 years now. I often just sit back and read, but I can't help but post today....
Groce is easily the worst X and Os coach I can remember at our school. I really don't understand the unbridled optimism by some on this forum, or the continued excuses that are made for Groce.
He makes NO adjustments. Tate was getting pasted by Johnson. He couldn't stay in front of him and adds nothing on the offensive end, yet he stays in the game.
I agree with some, Malcom really disappeared in this one. Your best player needs to take over when you need it, 7 TO or not. As for Finke and the other big men.... Anyone who says Finke had a good game, is just looking at the box score. Sure he scored a bit, but was not the presence we needed down low with a paltry 5 rebounds.
Year after year, I see the same thing from Groce teams. The inability to close out. Stong performances (or at least we used to) against bad competition and withering in the face of teams with talent. And most importantly, continued miserable showings against the big ten. I am excited about the incoming recruits, but this isn't the first time we've been excited about incoming recruits with Groce only too see continued underperformance. 5 star or not, if he doesn't find a way to right the ship this year, I want him gone.