Heading into the season's final games Illinois coach John Groce (grohs) says there aren't major changes he can make in his team at this point.

That team opens the Big Ten Tournament Thursday against Michigan in search of wins it hopes will get it to the NCAA Tournament.

Bracketologists put the Illini (19-12, 9-9 Big Ten) anywhere from just barely in the NCAA Tournament to a longshot that needs to add some wins.

The team has struggled to play well for 40 minutes and to make shots.

Saturday at Purdue the Illini lost after opening up big first half leads.

Groce said Rayvonte Rice and Nnanna Egwu played well. But he said other players need to follow that example.