Groce: Illini are what they are as tournament nears

Posted March 09, 2015 11:00 pm

By DAVID MERCER

Illinois guard Rayvonte Rice (24) walks off the court after losing to Purdue in an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 7, 2015, in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue won 63-58. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) The Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Getting ready for the Big Ten tournament this week, Illinois coach John Groce says there isn't anything drastic he can change about his team.

"You are who you are for the most part, with some slight changes and adjustments," Groce said Tuesday.

The team Illinois is right now has struggled to play well for 40 minutes at a time and make shots. That team is considered to be somewhere between just barely in the NCAA Tournament and National Invitation Tournament-bound, depending on which bracketologist you consult.

Some believe Illinois needs another win or two at the Big Ten tournament, starting Thursday against Michigan (15-15, 8-10 Big Ten).

Illinois (19-12, 9-9) botched a chance at Purdue to shore up its post-season resume with a win over a quality opponent. Illinois led 15-2 and 24-11 but wilted over the final 20 minutes, losing 63-58. The Illini shot 23.3 percent in the second half.

Groce watched as his two most consistent players, Rayvonte Rice and Nnanna Egwu, did what they could. Rice scored 25 points and Egwu had nine rebounds and four steals.

"I thought Egwu and Rice played really, really hard Saturday and competed," the coach said. "Hopefully they can continue to do that (and) we can get a few other guys to join them."

Illinois relies heavily on sophomores Malcolm Hill, Kendrick Nunn and Jaylon Tate, and freshman Leron Black. Groce said those younger players haven't been able to play consistently well over whole games.

Nunn in particular has been a question mark on offense. He made his mark late in his freshman season as a consistent scorer, good for a steady 10-plus points most games as the season wound down.

But over the past five games this season, a stretch when Illinois has been trying to secure that NCAA spot, he's shooting 31.5 percent. That includes a quiet 2 for 12 effort and seven points at Purdue.

Groce said Nunn's shots just aren't falling, but says he wants him to keep launching.

"That's one of his roles, is to take and make open shots," Groce said.

Illinois head coach John Groce reacts to a call on the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 7, 2015, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) The Associated Press

Illinois guard Kendrick Nunn (25) watches as a rebound flies out of bounds as he battles with Purdue's Dakota Mathias (31), center, and A.J. Hammons (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 7, 2015, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) The Associated Press

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