MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - It’s been a long three years for Illinois basketball, the Fighting Illini once an annual participant in the NCAA tournament.
Inconsistent play and some off-court issues have kept Illinois out of the Big Dance the last three seasons - the first time that has happened since 1979-80.
Last year, Illinois’ 15-19 overall record was its worst since 1998-99.
Josh Groce, now in his fourth season at Illinois, has overseen all of this but he sees a shaft of light with his program this season. The Illini have one of the oldest and most experienced teams in college basketball with two sixth-year seniors (guard Tracy Abrams and center Mike Thorne), three other seniors, two juniors and a redshirt sophomore.