When Illinois Basketball Head Coach John Groce arrived in Champaign a little over three years ago, it felt like someone had mainlined straight caffeine into Illini Nation. While some were critical about Athletic Director Mike Thomas’ choice, no one could deny the feeling of energy and enthusiasm emanating from our new coach. This guy was a live wire.
Groce enters the upcoming season confronting a buzz-numbing reality. A team that looked poised to crash the Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Maryland stranglehold on the top of the Big Ten now looks as if it will be lucky to finish in the mushy middle with a .