Since the turn of the decade, Illinois has only made two NCAA tournaments. They have gone through three different head coaches, four if you are counting interim head coach Jamall Walker. Illinois has also had three different athletic directors, each who wanted their own head coach.
There has still been talent that has come through Champaign during this time, though. Bruce Weber was able to get a couple of great recruiting classes. The talented in-state players he was able to snag from his last two classes were impressive.
Groce didn’t have nearly the recruiting success of Weber or his successor, Brad Underwood.