So looking at this...Wisconsin the team to beat this year?
Illini Basketball 2016-2017
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So looking at this...Wisconsin the team to beat this year?
Also like the #PrayForRutgers in Twitter link.
It's so funny how the perception of coaches/programs can change so quickly. Half of this board was calling for Groce's head after last season, and while it was really frustrating, I felt awful for him for all the bad breaks he had along the way with injuries/players snubbing us last minute. I truly think the 2017 class he assembled so far, as well as a team that I think is underrated this season with all of our returners (would've been even better with Nunn) places Groce back into a positive light. The off the court issues need to end for the program's sake, but I think Groce is the guy for the job long term if this type of recruiting success can continue, and with his personality, I think it will.
He still needs to win this season, miss the NCAAs again would not bode well for his future. I do think he'll make it, but it hasn't happened yet.
Somewhere between now and when a decision is announced.
^very important point.
This board is like a bellwether for the fanbase in general. We can turn on a dime, and everybody else is never far behind. If JG can't win this season we'll hear those same cries for his head, but louder than ever.
I think Groce silences all but the most unreasonable critics this season by producing a season where we finish in the upper half of the B1G (good enough for an NCAA berth) and we lose in the first weekend. That should make everybody happy enough, especially given our incoming recruits and the reversal of the program's trajectory.
This board is like a bellwether for the fanbase in general. We can turn on a dime, and everybody else is never far behind. If JG can't win this season we'll hear those same cries for his head, but louder than ever.
I think Groce silences all but the most unreasonable critics this season by producing a season where we finish in the upper half of the B1G (good enough for an NCAA berth) and we lose in the first weekend. That should make everybody happy enough, especially given our incoming recruits and the reversal of the program's trajectory.
I don't think it's done by "players" but "minutes", i.e. out of 200 minutes/game, what % is returning? Since Thorne is returning, he does get counted but played a small # of minutes, so probably doesn't really capture his potential impact. Same for Black. And I just looked again and it's "conference minutes", so even less inclusive of their impact.
I agree Groce needs to win some games this year, but even if he doesn't, can we afford to lose a guy who is bringing in the class he is bringing in the following season? I think his class alone gives him two years at least and with the talent we should have I don't see why we shouldn't make the tourney both of those years to be honest. It will be interesting, but I'm really pulling for the guy as I think he is a great leader of young men.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
I haven't wanted to pee on any of the happy recruiting parade lately, but I'm sure plenty of us still have strong reservations about Groce's actual coaching. He has had some players improve, certainly, but we need to see it on the court. The recruiting has been excellent -- in line with what we all expected three years ago -- but the coaching side of this program-building equation has yet to be solved. Hoping it is this season...
If he can't win this year then yes, he needs to go. Because it would prove that his coaching flat out isn't good enough and isn't getting better, and his recruiting didn't bring in enough talent to win. This is a no-excuse year, you either win or you walk.
I do think we make the tourney and this isn't even a conversation next year but he absolutely has to make the tourney to keep his job.
Not sure about that. It would be a disappointment for sure, but if the team still makes it to NIT, I am not sure the AD will take action, no matter how positively/negatively fans will feel towards Groce. JMO.
Unless Tracy can get back close to where he was 3 years ago, top 5 finish will be tough. I think everybody looks at the 2-5 spots where we're pretty solid. However PG is a huge question mark. And if you have poor PG poor (like the past two years), it's hard to be a strong team. W/o competent PG play, the whole is generally less than the sum of the parts.
If he only makes the NIT and the team stays healthy, then I think Whitman leans heavily toward removing Groce. If JG can't win with the experience and talent he has this year then chances he won't consistently win moving forward. Yes he'll have a great 2017 class coming in but they'll all have signed their NLI's so whoever the new coach is will have a lot of leverage in making sure those recruits stay for at least a year.
Yes, we probably can afford it. The class he has coming in is a good one and addresses some key needs. But it's not like the overall talent level is being raised significantly. And this year's team is probably the most talented he's had at Illinois. So if he can't win with this team, I don't see that the overall trajectory of the program is going upwards.
Now that's just my opinion. I do think it's unlikely that Whitman will get rid of him unless the season is way below expectations.
Oh my goodnes, I'd be in raptures of delight if we managed a top 5 finish in the B1G. Top half I hope is what we get, but top 5 would be wonderful.
Agree that PG play is our wild card. And, as we know, injuries can change the discussion very quickly. At least, given the current roster, we know for sure that we have rebounding back! :thumb:
I think it's more than our wildcard. I seems many casual fans don't get the importance of quality PG play. If you don't have competent PG play, you likely aren't going to be very good. Top 5 or even top half is going to be difficult for this team unless one of our PGs comes through.
Posters here can whine and !!!!! all they want, but I think our AD understand things pretty well. Groce will in all likelihood be back for the '17/'18 season.
Stevegarbs
- Mokena, IL
Depends how many games we get with TV Ted. =PPPP
Coaching and recruiting generally go hand in hand. Sure some coaches ruin good classes, and some coaches win with mediocre classes. But for the most part good recruiting equals wins. And from what I have seen, Groce is an average x's and o's guy at worst.
I agree, it is by minutes...we lost Nunn & Lewis's minutes. But when you think about it have previous starters Abrams, Black, & Thorne coming back that don't count in those minutes. we also have a big bubble from freshman minutes (JCL/Finke/Jordon/DJ) where you would expect the most improvement.
Unless it is because we are leading by so much :thumb:
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