Not sure if anyone made this observation, but our game had the smallest margin of victory in DC yesterday[emoji33]
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I completely disagree. I wouldn't be surprised if Groce turned things around for a few reasons. First is that almost all players love to play for him and most coaches have nothing but great respect for him. You don't get that if you're a lousy coach. Also, he's a teacher and passionate about basketball. We all have seen how hard he coaches/recruits and this leads me to believe he will keep working to get better.
The question is whether Whitman wants to wait and see if Groce has learned from his mistakes. And after seeing how he handled the football hire, I will trust whatever Whitman decides to do. I just hope everyone else can do the same. If Groce stays then support him and the team, because coaches do improve.
Also, some fans are acting like we are at rock bottom. We are far away from where we were 12 years ago, but it could be much much worse.
I completely disagree. I wouldn't be surprised if Groce turned things around for a few reasons. First is that almost all players love to play for him and most coaches have nothing but great respect for him. You don't get that if you're a lousy coach. Also, he's a teacher and passionate about basketball. We all have seen how hard he coaches/recruits and this leads me to believe he will keep working to get better.
The question is whether Whitman wants to wait and see if Groce has learned from his mistakes. And after seeing how he handled the football hire, I will trust whatever Whitman decides to do. I just hope everyone else can do the same. If Groce stays then support him and the team, because coaches do improve.
Also, some fans are acting like we are at rock bottom. We are far away from where we were 12 years ago, but it could be much much worse.
I was on the "fire weber" bus, and I see where we've went since. So I've been scared to board the "fire groce" train, but I seen a move yesterday that confirmed to me it can only get better from here..... Abrams is in the middle of a 10-0 run, and you bench him? Folks, that is shear stupidity. Abrams ended the game with two fouls...Abrams don't get in foul trouble! That move was the worst move I will ever remember from John Groce.
TA had two fouls at that point, I think. Regardless, he was on a serious tear, totally worth staying in with 2.
TA had two fouls at that point, I think. Regardless, he was on a serious tear, totally worth staying in with 2.
Yeah, but TA finished with those same 2 fouls. Count on a 6th year guy to not foul and ride that hot hand.
He did this countless times with a number of different players. It's beyond comprehension.
I was at the Michigan game yesterday. I also went to the BYU game in Chicago. I have been a fan of Illini basketball since the national championship game against UNC and have watched a ton of games over the last 10 years.
Illini Nation should be proud of Tracy Abrams and the effort he brought to the court not just yesterday, but during his entire career at U of I...he poured his heart and soul into U of I basketball and recovering from his injuries. He may not be the third or fourth leading scorer in Illini basketball history, but his effort that he brought to the court every game will be missed moving forward.