The University of Illinois introduced John Groce as its new men's basketball coach Thursday. The 40-year-old leaves Ohio University to replace Bruce Weber, who was fired after a 17-and-15 campaign. The Illini started the season 15-and-3, but went just 6-and-12 in Big Ten play and lost 12 of their final 14 games. Groce led the Bobcats to two NCAA Tournament appearnaces in four seasons, including a trip to the Sweet 16 this year. He was 85-and-56 during his tenure at Ohio U. Groce says joining the Illini is right for he and his family. Groce says he wants to return the program to a national power.
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He acknowledges how vital Chicago will be in recruiting.
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Groce led the Bobcats to two NCAA Tournament appearnaces in four seasons, including a trip to the Sweet 16 this year. He was 85-and-56 during his tenure at Ohio U.
As John Groce takes over as head basketball coach at Illinois, experts say he will face serious skepticism when he starts trying to recruit players attending Chicago high schools.
Chicago recruiting analyst Joe Henricksen says the city's coaches would rather the Illini have hired someone they knew to replace the fired Bruce Weber.
And former Illini and current ESPN analyst Stephen Bardo says Groce will have to work hard to sell himself in the city, where players with the potential to make it into the NBA are produced every year.
But Henricksen doubts coaches will shut Groce out altogether. Henricksen says the former Ohio University coach will at least have the chance to build relationships in Chicago.
>>Men's Final Four Set For Saturday
(New Orleans, LA) -- March Madness winds down this weekend with the men's Final Four in New Orleans. Top-ranked and number-one seed Kentucky takes on rival Louisville in Saturday's first national semifinal, while Kansas clashes with Ohio State in a battle of number-two seeds in the other semi. The Wildcats and Cardinals are set to tip off at 6:09 p.m. Eastern. Kentucky beat Louisville 69-62 in Lexington back on December 31st. The Jayhawks and Buckeyes also meet for the second time this season. Kansas topped Ohio State 78-67 December 10th in Lawrence. The Buckeyes played that game without star forward Jared Sullinger. KU and OSU will tip off at appoximately 8:49 p.m. Eastern. The winner of Saturday's two games meet in Monday night's national championship game.
